Rob Madge's MY SON'S A QUEER... at the Lyceum February 2024 — Page 8

I saw it tonight. Very cute, relatable show for those of us who tried on mom's shoes and insisted on putting on plays for the family in our youth. I was impressed, but I am also surprised that the original intention had been for it to have a Broadway run, because once the theatre gays saw it, I'm not quite sure who its audience would have been. I was in the first row of the Grand Tier (great view), and there were a good number of empty seats, including further back in the mezzanine (balcony was apparently closed), and I saw a good number below us in the orchestra, too.

Cute, sweet (and short) show for Pride Month. I can't imagine who thought this could work on Broadway — it has Off-Broadway written all over it. It could’ve had a nice 16-week run in one of the 199-seat theaters. It’s the kind of show that really needs the intimacy between the performer and the audience, which was completely lost in the large house (I was seated in the back of the orchestra). It's not life-changing; I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to see it, but it was a fun night, and Rob seems like a great person I’m happy to know more about now.

Updated On: 6/13/25 at 07:17 AM

A gentle reminder: Rob uses they/them pronouns.

Seeing this tonight. Bought my tickets on TDF, so I’m curious where I’ll be. I’m glad that they are reshuffling the seating so that it feels more intimate for both Rob and the audience.

Adored every second of this. It is just peer joy from top to bottom (ha ha). In terms of audience draw, it felt like a soft PG13 but so much of the heart of the show is about celebrating the intersection of growing up a queer theatre kid in a supportive family.

I can see why this would struggle to build a Broadway sustainable audience - but it’s definitely something that (if enticed), any “theatre kid” parent would walk into clueless and walk out having cried through. I am not hedging my bets on this show having a NYC-future (a formal Off-Broadway run would be a dream at this point) but I hope this convinces people to show up and give it a chance. It is worth the hour and cheap ticket price - and quite frankly, is a show I’d encourage folks to support with a paid ticket on good-faith alone.

Updated On: 6/14/25 at 09:51 PM

Kad said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "It's really blowing my mind how many of you watched the show and STILL are misgendering Rob. Were you even paying attention?"

Nobody is doing it intentionally or maliciously."

I didn’t say anyone was doing it intentionally or maliciously. But it blows my mind that you could sit through THAT Show and still make that mistake.

iluvtheatertrash said: "Kad said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "It's really blowing my mind how many of you watched the show and STILL are misgendering Rob. Were you even paying attention?"

Nobody is doing it intentionally or maliciously."

I didn’t say anyone was doing it intentionally or maliciously. But it blows my mind that you could sit through THAT Show and still make that mistake."

I watched the show and the main focus of the show was how Rob’s parents raised Rob back in the 00s, not Rob’s they/them pronouns. I barely remember Rob mentioning pronouns but do remember what a loving home environment the Rob grew up in.

I think one really must give a little grace and patience given that they titled the show with gendered words...

I had no idea what to expect but this was soooo charming and wonderful. Madge is such a compelling presence and storyteller. I’m glad it finally came to New York and I’m glad I got to see it.

That said, it feels completely out of place at City Center and would have felt equally out of place at the Lyceum. It makes me question the sanity of the lead producers –– why they thought it could have found a sustainable audience on Broadway, and why they thought this short run in a huge house could have any benefit to their investors. As others have said, the mezz was not full, the balcony was closed, and there was no shortage of comps.

It’s like Kevin Spacey doing Clarence Darrow at Arthur Ashe Stadium all over again.

A few weeks at the Minetta Lane or the Connelly or the Soho Playhouse or Greenwich House or even the basement at City Center would have been far better.

Updated On: 6/14/25 at 01:56 PM

Robbie2 said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "Kad said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "It's really blowing my mind how many of you watched the show and STILL are misgendering Rob. Were you even paying attention?"

Nobody is doing it intentionally or maliciously."

I didn’t say anyone was doing it intentionally or maliciously. But it blows my mind that you could sit through THAT Show and still make that mistake."

people having a hissy fit over pronouns"

Really! I am sure Rob could care less. Rob must be thrilled that so many of us loved the show and were moved by it. The poster who keeps going on about it seems to want to be the smartest person in the room. It is so boring.

When the name is “Rob”, with a mustache (at least in all promo shots), and a receding hairline to rival Danny Burstein, perhaps the entrenched social conditioning that leads to “he” can be more easily forgiven.