In 1982, Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy opened on Broadway. After off and off-off Broadway runs, three plays were combined into a trilogy: “International Stud” (the name of a real bar at that time), “Fugue in a Nursery” and “Widows and Children First!” All center around Arnold, a Jewish homosexual drag queen living in New York during various phases of his life. For his work, Mr. Fierstein won Tony Awards for both Best Play and Best Actor. His career took off from there to include writing the books for La Cage Aux Folles, Kinky Boots and Newsies, authoring the play Casa Valentina and starring in Hairspray.
From the original New York Times’ review: “I cannot – and do not want to – imagine anyone else playing Arnold. Mr. Fierstein’s self-incarnation is an act of compelling virtuosity.” Clearly after seeing this revival of Torch Song, it is easy to imagine the author’s voice and physicality throughout this play. Happily, Michael Urie (Buyer & Cellar, Angels in America, The Government Inspector) is up for the challenge. Although the oft-used physical description of “big” does not fit, he effectively conveys this man’s self-deprecating humor while searching for love and family.
The original four hour play was shortened for this production but the connective tissue of the plot seemed intact. Parts of this play are very funny. Other parts are emotionally draining, even scarring. In the third segment, Mercedes Ruhl (Lost in Yonkers, The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?) plays his monstrous mother and the scene between the two of them is raw. Also notable in this production is Ward Horton as Ed, the confused bisexual, and Jack DiFalco (Marvin’s Room) as young David.
The creative team has mounted a fine, fluid version of this play. As a result, Torch Song seems to stand the test of time for a piece very firmly rooted in its post-Stonewall era. This past month we have seen news reports about the President of the United States joking that the Vice President wants to hang all gay people. If we were all lucky enough to meet Arnold thirty five years later, I expect his torch song would, sadly, still be sung.