Yes, you are - you are right now, one wants to respond. He's one of the best stage actors around and has loads of appeal, but when his Arnold laments, 'I have never been young and beautiful,' it doesn't track. The David adoption subplot is simplistic and feels off. Laurel's understanding about her husband's sexuality strains credulity.

But it can't mask weaknesses of this deeply sentimental work. It starts perfectly as a man applies make-up, a sly way to underscore a story about hiding and exposing oneself. That includes great one-liners, graceful touches (like when Arnold signs the words 'not enough') and daring (not just the simulated sex scene, either). (Joan Marcus)ĭirected by Moises Kaufman, the new production shows off the play's strengths. Even in its more heightened moments, Fierstein’s use of his own personal experience serves to bring a sense of authenticity to the work – with the hope that members of the audience will specifically recognize themselves in the exchanges between lovers and the relationship between mother and child.The cast of 'Torch Song' includes Ward Horton, Jack DiFalco, Michael Urie and Mercedes Ruehl.

“It allowed the community the ability to ask for respect from those they love about who they are and not feeling apologetic about that.”įierstein’s focused emphasis on the importance of love in all relationships, not singularly heteronormative ones, challenged American norms and created a communal voice to counter the attacks against homosexuals during this time period.Ī semi-autobiographical play that straddles genres, “Torch Song” is at times a melodrama, a comedy, and even a musical. “It was the first play on Broadway that was written and performed by an openly gay man,” said director George Contini. Exploring themes of strained family dynamics, survival, and love, Fierstein’s play appeared on Broadway just prior to the onset of the AIDS epidemic being recognized as a major medical crisis.

Up until 2017, “Torch Song” was a much longer series of pieces known as the “Torch Song Trilogy,” having originated as “The International Stud ” in 1978, a one-act play that was produced Off-Off-Broadway.Įach component of the play pivots at a transformational moment in the life of its protagonist, Arnold – a struggling drag performer in 1970s New York. Harvey Fierstein’s Tony-Award winning play “Torch Song” comes to the fine arts stage for the first time ever. Tickets are $12, 8 for students, and can be purchased at /torchsong, by phone at 70, or in person at the Performing Arts Center or Tate Center box office. Performances will be held in the Fine Arts Theatre September 29, 30 and October 1-2, 5-7 at 8 p.m. Athens, GA - UGA Theatre presents “Torch Song,” written by Harvey Fierstein and directed by George Contini.

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