|
TORCH SONG TRILOGY | |
Torch Song Trilogy began as three separate plays performed on three separate occasions - "International Stud," "Fugue in a Nursery," and "Widows and Children First!". When put together, the order of the plays remained the same because each play was meant to be a sequel of the first. Though each play stands alone, when put together, they make up a delightful story that traces the main character, Arnold, through several years of heartache, heartbreak, and familial function and dysfunction.
INTERNATIONAL STUD was first presented by La Mama E.T.C. on February 2, 1978 with the following cast:
| Lady Blues ................................... Diane Tarleton |
| Arnold .......................................... Harvey Fierstein |
| Ed ................................................ Steve Spiegel |
| Directed by Eric Concklin |
| Musical Direction by Ned Levy |
| Costumes by Mardi Philips |
| Lighting by Joanna Schielke |
| Production Stage Manager: B.J. Allen |
The production subsequently played at the Player's Theatre with Richard Dow as Ed and Lee Evans as Stage Manager.
Author's Note: There is a gay bar in New York City called "The International Stud." It boasts a pool table, pinball machine and the jumpingest backroom in town. I dearly dedicate these plays to all who made it their home. I wish for each of them the courage to leave it when they can, and the good sense to come back when they must.
FUGUE IN A NURSERY premiered at La Mama E.T.C. on February 1, 1979 with the following cast:
| Laurel ........................................ Marilyn Hamlin |
| Ed ............................................. Edward D. Griffith |
| Alan ........................................... Christopher Marcantel |
| Arnold ....................................... Harvey Fierstein |
| Directed by Eric Concklin |
| Music by Ada Janik |
| Stage Design by Bill Stabile |
| Lighting by Charles Embry |
| Production Stage Manager: Richard Jakiel |
The production was subsequently presented by Mitchell Maxwell at The Orpheum Theatre with Maria Callario as Laurel, Will Jeffries as Ed and with lighting by Cheryl Thacker.
FUGUE IN A NURSERY takes place at Ed and Laurel's vacation house. Mr. Fierstein has set the play so that all the action takes place on one very large bed that can be lit from different sides so that one side can be lit at a time when neccesary. The script is also divided into different sections to represent a fugue. The divisions are as follows: PROLOGUE, NURSERY: A Fugue, SUBJECT, CODETTA, STRETTO, COUNTER SUBJECT, STRETTO, CODA, EPILOGUE.
WIDOWS AND CHILDREN FIRST! premiered at La Mama E.T.C. on October 25, 1979 with the following cast:
| Arnold Beckoff .................................. Harvey Fierstein |
| David ................................................ Frederick Allen |
| Ed ..................................................... Will Jeffries |
| Mrs. Beckoff ..................................... Estelle Getty |
| Directed by Eric Concklin |
| Stage Design by Bill Stabile |
| Lighting by Cheryl Thacker |
| Costumes by Carla Lawrence |
| Production Stage Manager: Richard Jakiel |
WIDOWS AND CHILDREN FIRST! takes place five years after the action of FUGUE IN A NURSERY.
TORCH SONG TRILOGY, the combination of the three aforementioned plays, was first presented by The Glines, Inc. on October 16, 1981 with the following cast:
| Arnold ......................................... Harvey Fierstein |
| Ed ............................................... Joel Crothers |
| Lady Blues/Laurel ....................... Diane Tarleton |
| Alan ............................................. Paul Joynt |
| David ........................................... Matthew Broderick |
| Mrs. Beckoff ................................ Estelle Getty |
| Directed by Peter Pope |
| Musical Direction by Ned Levy |
| Costumes by Mardi Philips |
| Lighting by Scott Pinkney |
| Production Stage Manager: Penny Landau |
| Production for The Glines by Lawrence Lane |
HOME