Tony-Winning Playwright Brian Friel Dead at 86
Dancing at Lughnasa Tony winner Brian Friel died on October 2 at the age of 86. According to The New York Times, no cause of death was given for the playwright sometimes called "the Irish Chekhov." Friel lived in County Donegal, Ireland. Friel was born on January 9 (or possibly January 10), 1929 in Killyclogher, County Tyrone. After initially studying for the priesthood, he turned to teaching and began wri…