How Did "Anna In The Tropics" Win the Pulitzer?

I saw a recent production of this done a local graduate program. The technical elements of the show were beautiful, but I thought the story was seriously lacking. I couldn't begin to tell you character names or character motives. I had no clue what the plot was and things seemed jumbled. I'm not quite sure what the point of telling this story was. I'm not sure what the author was trying to accomplish. I think it's a script that when read, reads beautifully, but some of the phrases can be a bit tough for the actor's to say because of the poetry of the lines.

What are you thoughts on the play? Did you like it, if so why? I'm up for hearing both sides of the argument.

The Pulizter was awarded based on the Spanish Language version of the play I believe.

My father and I took my mother to see it for Chanukah the year it was out. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did - the cast was perfection and the whole thing was beautiful.

See, I don't see the beauty in it at all. I was confused as to who's story it was and who I was suppose to care about. So basically by the end of the play, I was just happy to leave. Maybe not knowing what the book "Anna..." was about going in, I was just sorta confused and bored. I think the play is written beautifully, but some of the phrases are just hard to say without cracking a smile because they're borderline cheese.

I loved the play. I read it before I saw it and when I did see it, I only loved it more.

I hope Cruz writes more. He really hit on a streak of passion that was not soap opera but beautifully linked to the same feelings one gets while reading great literature.

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I saw this play at a special performance at the Coconut Grove Playhouse and thought it was compelling, poetic, and incredibly romantic. I've never read Anna Karenina so I don't think not knowing the novel has much to do with understanding the play. It's more about life imitating art.
Nilo Cruz went to the same college I was going to at the time of this performance, there was a post-show talk with Cruz and I remember being slightly disappointed because he seemed a bit bored. I don't know what other plays were nominated at the time and I'm not sure if it deserved the Pulitzer but I think it's a fascinating piece.

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I have often wondered this myself. I didn't see the Broadway production, but I saw it when the Seattle Rep did it. Quite frankly, the story was a mess. It was in about twenty places at once, and the opening of the second act was hilarious and silly instead of passionate.

What else was it up against that year? There must've been a reason why they just didn't award anything like last year.