Script by Harvey Fierstein. Direction by Tim Irving. Cast of Matthew Weeden, Barron Henzel, Sidney Franklin, Amanda Sitton, Tom Zohar and Jill Drexler. All the ingredients necessary for a fantastic production of Torch Song Trilogy, which is exactly what we get with Diversionary's current offering.
Fierstein's brilliant script barely leaves you time to recover from one laugh before you are in another laugh. He balances the humor with the various realities that on-stage Drag Queen Arnold faces. There are moments when you'll feel the pain felt by Arnold (Matthew Weeden) and some of the others as they face modern times, being Jewish and being gay, having a mother's non-acceptance of his sexuality, of being in love with a bisexual, of defining what a family really is, and so much more.
Originally three one-act plays, Torch Song Trilogy opens with a monologue as Arnold primps for a performance in the aptly named "International Stud," the firstact title. He is struggling with his relationship with bisexual school teacher Ed (Barron Henzel). An added touch is Weeden's rendition of "What is this thing called love?"
The second act, "Fugue in a Nursery," is set in Ed's farmhouse in the mountains. A fantastic and over-worked stage crew create a completely new set featuring a huge bed, representing two separate beds in separate rooms. Ed is engaged to Laura (Amanda Sitton), and Arnold is partnered with a twenty-something Alan (Sidney Franklin). The dialogue and action plays individually with each couple as well as every possibly permutation of coupling. Weeden brings us two more songs.
The final act, "Widows and Children First!," introduces Arnold's stereotypical Jewish mother, Mrs. Beckoff (Jill Drexler). She immediately takes command as she crosses the threshold. She is in denial that her son is gay. The fight that finally erupts is a classic. Amidst losing a lover, searching for his full identity, and enduring a ranting mom, Arnold decides to adopt a teenage gay son. David (Tom Zohar) may be a teen, but he is definitely the adult in many of the situations facing Arnold. He charms his soon-to-be grandmother. When Zohar takes the stage, his energy and delightful delivery command close attention.
Torch Song Trilogy is probably the best play we've seen this season. As stated in the opening paragraph, every element is excellent. I have no idea how Matthew Weeden could possibly be on stage every minute, have a tremendous line load, and be so good as Arnold.
One wee warning, the production runs almost four hours with two intermissions. Honestly, I didn't notice the length until I checked my watch at curtain call a tribute to everybody involved in this production.
