Daniel's Husband cast interview

Such a bad piece of theatre. Glad it's closing.

Such a great night of theater. Yes its a sad show for the holidays, but check it out. Is it a Tony Award winning play? No. It makes you think after. Love one another.

Major spoilers ahead.

Gay plays are in a state of end-of-life crisis. Not all gay plays, but specifically the plays about affluent-white-gays. In the year 2018 there is no more substantial stories worth telling, it appears, at least based on “Daniel’s Husband”. A play set in the post-gay marriage era, where the more privileged gays are left with such issues as whether to redecorate the house, whether to invite friends for dinner, whether to get a marriage certificate or stay as long-term unmarried partners. The political is a thing of the past; our brave protagonists quickly change the subject when anything even remotely political floats up. They are complacent, I’d even say contemptible.

Every show requires a central theme, and for “Daniel’s Husband” it is an overwrought morality tale saying “Marry the person you love or you’ll regret it.” The main character, while in a long term relationship for 7 years, is opposed to the institution of marriage, much to the regret of his partner. The heavens interfere, in a mad bolt of thunder that partner Daniel has a stroke, becomes paralyzed, and loses the ability of communication. The one thing Daniel’s partner now wishes he was is to be married. In swoops the wealthy but unlikeable mother and takes Daniel away, leaving our protagonist lonely and in regret. The message seems clear: you better get married just like heterosexuals do, or else!

A year ago I saw the horribly gratuitous “Afterglow” which I though did not deserve a place on a stage. I feel similarly about “Daniel’s Husband”. Plays about apolitical rich white gays just don’t do it anymore. Theatre should move, stir, provoke, call to action. There are many topics that could have been raised, like accessibility of health care, homelessness, body-image issues, class, gender-expression, substance abuse, etc, etc. But instead we get this drivel about gay assimilation.

“The message seems clear: you better get married just like heterosexuals do, or else!”

I forgot that marriage is only for men & women, as conservative heterosexuals have been telling us the whole time! Silly me. *eye roll*

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Joe Brancato is one of the worst contemporary theater directors out there these days. He seems to only work intermittently in NYC but when he does the results are atrocious. People need to stop hiring him. I feel like this would’ve been a much better piece of theater with a better director.