#1
Posted: 2/13/17 at 2:55pm
Torch Song Trilogy to be revived at Second Stage
#2
Posted: 2/13/17 at 3:01pm
At Harvey's request, it is now titled TORCH SONG.
#3
Posted: 2/13/17 at 3:31pm
I'm not a fan of Urie, but am thrilled that this show is coming back! One of my favorite plays. It will be interesting to see the changes Harvey has made.
I am big. It’s the REVIVALS that got small.
#4
Posted: 2/13/17 at 4:27pm
I wish this new production could have been done at the Helen Hayes now that Second Stage owns that theater.
#5
Posted: 2/13/17 at 5:48pm
I think this is the first instance of someone saying they are not a fan of Urie's that I recall, here or elsewhere. Not questioning, just observing.
#6
Posted: 2/13/17 at 5:58pm
I think Michael Urie will be wonderful. I am disappointed though. I was hoping that if "Torch Song" was done in NYC again, that Brandon Uranowitz would have a chance to redo his brilliant interpretation that he did at DC's Studio Theatre. His performance was perfect.
#7
Posted: 2/13/17 at 6:37pm
Yes, I didn't see Brandon but I also hoped he'd have the chance to bring the show to New York.
#8
Posted: 2/13/17 at 6:49pm
The play is kind of a long sit, and hasn't aged particularly well. (I'm sure some will flame me for this opinion). Still, I'd love to see Linda Lavin as Mrs. Beckoff.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#9
Posted: 2/13/17 at 7:51pm
AC126748 said: "The play is kind of a long sit, and hasn't aged particularly well. (I'm sure some will flame me for this opinion). Still, I'd love to see Linda Lavin as Mrs. Beckoff.
It certainly has dust on it, but it can also more or less be argued as a period piece when contrasted to more modern gay plays.
Also, is Linda Lavin really the only choice we have left for someone to play the quintessential Jewish mother? Oy. Why not Carol Kane, Mare Winningham, or Ellen Barkin?
"
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#10
Posted: 2/13/17 at 7:53pm
It certainly has dust on it, but it can also more or less be argued as a period piece when contrasted to more modern gay plays.
My comments have nothing to do with this play as a historical document. Have you ever actually sat through a performance of this play?
Also, is Linda Lavin really the only choice we have left for someone to play the quintessential Jewish mother? Oy.
Um...no. Linda Lavin would be great in the role because Linda Lavin is a brilliant actress.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
Updated On: 2/13/17 at 07:53 PM
#11
Posted: 2/13/17 at 8:09pm
I'd like to see Tovah in that role
Updated On: 2/13/17 at 08:09 PM
#12
Posted: 2/13/17 at 8:32pm
Why does the mother have to be Jewish in this production? Urie doesn't come off as Jewish AT ALL. Not like Harvey or Brandon.
#13
Posted: 2/13/17 at 9:10pm
I think the timing of this works well for Second Stage's first production to transfer/open in the renovated Helen Hayes, right??
#14
Posted: 2/13/17 at 11:41pm
Linda Lavin is 79. Perfect for Arnold's GRANDmother
#15
Posted: 2/14/17 at 9:30am
I like Urie fine, but a cute, sexy Arnold seems somewhat antithetical to the entire point of the play(s).
I also think that what was once riveting, sui generis, and game changing will come off now as a little more than a cute period piece, particularly with an actor less... unique than Fierstein at the center. I remember how underwhelming David Garrison was in the role as a Broadway replacement years ago.
#16
Posted: 2/14/17 at 10:38am
Although I'd imagine she won't be available because of WAR PAINT --- how about Michael Urie's TV mom --- Patti LuPone --- as Mrs. Beckoff?
I'd also love to see Judith Light in the role!
#17
Posted: 2/14/17 at 12:19pm
gallerygirl said: "Yes, I didn't see Brandon but I also hoped he'd have the chance to bring the show to New York."
I saw Brandon in DC and he was absolutely brilliant in the role which earned him a Helen Hayes nom. It most certainly would've earned him a Tony WIN here, he was that good!! Guess Harvey and/or Moises, didn't take heed in the very 1st sentence Washington Post review of the DC performance:
<<By Peter Marks
September 9, 2013
I say unto you that henceforward, the program of every new production of “Torch Song Trilogy” — Harvey Fierstein’s groundbreaking comedy of gay American aspiration — should contain the words “Brandon Uranowitz.>>
It was a no-brainer for me to think, if it were ever to be revived on B'Way, that Brandon would be cast as Arnold.
A BIG mistake in casting Urie, in my opinion. Sorry for those of you who never saw Brandon in DC to understand my disappointment.
#18
Posted: 2/14/17 at 3:07pm
Lots of interesting info here: Torch Song Trilogy at the DC Studio Theater
Somebody mentioned the play may be a bit dated, what are the thoughts of those who saw it in DC?
#19
Posted: 2/14/17 at 4:40pm
Brandon Uranowitz was robbed. This is such a great vehicle for him. Judith Light would have made a great Mrs. Beckoff. Urie is too attractive and not Jewish enough.
#20
Posted: 2/14/17 at 4:51pm
Skip23 said: "Why does the mother have to be Jewish in this production? Urie doesn't come off as Jewish AT ALL. Not like Harvey or Brandon."
Huh? No one is saying the actress has to be Jewish.
But the character certainly is.
For me of all the casting ideas so far, Lupone is the most interesting.
Updated On: 2/14/17 at 04:51 PM
#21
Posted: 2/14/17 at 5:14pm
I think Urie would be fantastic. He is cute, but honestly - so was Harvey at the time of this play, per the standards of cute at the time. Curious to see who'd play Ed and Alan.
Since dream-casting is the norm here, for all Brandon fans - if this play did have to be recast, I'd put Urie as Alan instead in a heartbeat.
When someone says "quintessential Jewish mother", I don't think of Linda Lavin, but Jayne Houdyshell or Jackie Hoffman. Jayne in particular would be phenomenally cast.
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
#22
Posted: 2/14/17 at 5:28pm
Valentina3 said:
When someone says "quintessential Jewish mother", I don't think of Linda Lavin, but Jayne Houdyshell or Jackie Hoffman. Jayne in particular would be phenomenally cast."
I agree with you that Houdyshell would be a great choice. But I am tempted to believe that you are either not Jewish, have seen very little of Lavin's work, or both.
"
#23
Posted: 2/15/17 at 2:46am
I don't find him cute/sexy at all. So it's all subjective?
#24
Posted: 2/15/17 at 7:37am
"He is cute, but honestly - so was Harvey at the time of this play..."
Well, no. And that's why so much of the text of the play is tied to Arnold's low self esteem about his attractiveness. Remember the last line of the opening monologue - "with a face and a voice like this I could always drive a cab."
#25
Posted: 2/15/17 at 8:29am
I remember the last time a mainstream New York revival was considered John Cameron Mitchell was lined up for the part.
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