Harvey Fierstein’s ‘Torch Song Trilogy’ was a three-play collection that was split into three acts which were entitled ‘International Stud,’ ‘Fugue in a Nursery,’ and ‘Widow’s and Children First!.’
The play revolved around Arnold Beckoff who homosexual, a drag queen and Jewish who worked as a torch singer residing in New York City. The play was set in the late 1970s to the early 1980s.
‘International Stud’ played at an Off-Off-Broadway Theater called La Mama, E.T.C and the curtains went up on February 2, 1978, and ran for two weeks. The play moved to the Off-Broadway theater Players Theatre and opened on May 22, 1978, where was seen for 72 performances.
‘Fuge in a Nursery’ opened on February 1, 1979, at LaMama.
The Broadway version opened at the Little Theater (now the Helen Hayes Theater) on June 10, 1982, at the Little Theatre, and ran for 1,222 performances. The play became the 80th longest running show in Broadway history. The play ran for three years.
Fierstein won two Tony Awards for Best Actor and A Play and Best Play. During the acceptance speech, Firestein made history by mention his lover, Larry Lane.
The play was made into a move in 1988 staring Harvey Fierstein, Anne Bancroft, and Matthew Broderick.
‘Torch Song Trilogy’ returned to the Broadway stage and it’s home at the Helen Hayes Theater in 2018, with its name shortened to ‘Torch Song.’ The play started on October 9, 2018, with an opening date of November 1, 2018.
The revival starred Michael Urie and featured Mercedes Ruehl. While it got good reviews it did not do well and fill the theater’s seats. There were many gay plays this year such as ‘The Boys in the Band’ and ‘Angels in America,’ so it was possible that the show did not do as well as expected because Broadway had a saturation of plays with a gay theme.
Due to the lackluster ticket sales, it was announced that ‘Torch Song’ would be closing on January 6, 2019. The play was originally set to close on Feb.24., which is seven weeks earlier than planned. The play would have lasted for 26 previews and 77 performances.
The star of the show Michael Urie stated that since he started ‘Torch Song’ he heard from many people, that the strength, frankness, and pride that the character of Arnold exhibited help them personally to come to terms, come together and come out. He was hoping that the tour will help others all over the world and that the play is needed when the world today is divided and confusing.
Michael Urie will continue his role as Arnold Beckoff after the show closes and a national tour of launches in October.
The Actors Fund announced Harvey Fierstein’s ‘Torch Song’ has donated a block of tickets to their January 4, 2019 performance to that benefits the Actor’s Fund.
Written By Barbara Sobel
Sources:
The New York Times: Broadway’s ‘Torch Song’ To Close In January
The Hollywood Reporter: Harvey Fierstein’s ‘Torch Song’ to End Broadway Run Seven Weeks Early
Broadway World: TORCH SONG Will Play Final Broadway Performance in January; Michael Urie to Lead National Tour
Featured and Top Image Courtesy Of David Shankbone’s Flickr
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