Adding to her general image as a comic writer was her vivid, animated public persona. Apple-cheeked and curly-haired, she always seemed to be peeling into a high-pitched giggle or relating the events of a recent convivial lunch with one of her many prominent friends. Among these were composer William Finn, playwright Terrence McNally, critic Frank Rich, playwright Christopher Durang, director James Lapine and LCT artistic director Andre Bishop. She was, in fact, notorious for being incredibly well connected and a great collector of friends. (Those friends sometimes found their names —as well as those of countless other contemporary figures—popping up in their pal's stage works).