Why A Same-Sex I Do! I Do! Is Important, and Why It Works by Jack Marshall

[hockeynut2]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 7:17pm

There is a newly reimagined production of 'I Do! I Do!' at The American Century Theater in Arlington, VA. Director Jack Marshall tells us 'why.'

Read David Friscic's review on DCMetroTheaterArts.
http://www.dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2013/07/23/i-do-i-do-at-the-american-century-theater-by-david-friscic/




Jack Marshall on Why A Same-Sex I Do! I Do! Is Important, and Why It Works Updated On: 7/26/13 at 07:17 PM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 7:39pm

I haven't seen it. I love the idea, but what concerns me from an historical perspective is that gay relationships were NOT "just like straight marriages" through most of the time period of the play.

Suggesting they were could be seen as an argument AGAINST marriage equality, i.e., because apparently it isn't necessary. Gay people can just make informal unions and function perfectly well. Alas, the truth isn't that simple.

But would I try to block to production? Hell, no.

[justoldbill]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 7:50pm

If it's two men, who sings "What Is A Woman"? Do they fight over who gets to sing "Flaming Agnes"? Let's face it, this is just as stupid an idea as casting Bernadette Peters in MARK TWAIN TONIGHT!

Updated On: 7/25/13 at 07:50 PM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 7:54pm

bill, I've said why I'm doubtful about translating I DO! I DO! in this way, but gay theatrical representations are still in their relative infancy. We have to allow writers and directors to try things.

But I think all your question are apt. And we can add that the first scene is largely about being virgins. Two gay men who are virgins? I doubt it.

[justoldbill]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 8:01pm

I doubt Mart Crowley would permit a gender-bending THE GIRLS IN THE BAND. The two-woman THE ODD COUPLE has never had a true ring to it, either.

Updated On: 7/25/13 at 08:01 PM

[darquegk]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 8:03pm

Surely such unicorns exist. Perhaps even two of them.

(I realize that gay culture, inasmuch as it actually exists as a homogeneous whole and not as a series of stereotypes, is different than straight culture. But at the same time, and maybe this is my queer theory class talking, the notion that 'all gay men have tons of sex and are more sexually open and experienced than heterosexuals' plays into homophobic stereotype as much as it does into actual reality.)

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 8:10pm

Must be your gay theory class talking, darquek, because I said no such thing. FWIW, I've been in a monogamous same-sex relationship for more than 35 years. I'm well aware that many gay men are not promiscuous. (To be clear, I think it's all a matter of personal choice; I'm not saying monogamy is morally superior or for everyone.)

But there's a lot of territory between virginity and mounting the sling at the old Mine Shaft. Given the lack of public rituals for homosexual couples, some sort of sexual exploration is an almost universal event in the coming out process.

That TWO gay men move in together without ever having sex with anyone is simply not believable to me. Do you know of an example?

***

More importantly and to use your language, if the two characters are "unicorns", doesn't that defeat the whole point of doing an all-male version?

Updated On: 7/25/13 at 08:10 PM

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 8:11pm

Generally, I hate to see classic works "reimagined". They're classics because they work as they are and generally don't need to be screwed with. You want a show about a gay couple through the years of marriage, great. Write one that speaks to what you want it to say.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 8:11pm

All gay men were virgins at some point. Not me, but everybody else.

[justoldbill]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 8:23pm

With all the possibilities for valid and profitable gay theatre today, the LAST thing needed is to try to shoe-horn a gay context into existing (straight) material like I DO! I DO! (or THE FOURPOSTER, for that matter). I call it weak theatre. And it misrepresents the original authors' intent. Should we re-do I AND ALBERT as THE QUEEN AND I?

Updated On: 7/25/13 at 08:23 PM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 8:24pm

Honestly, Namo, I don't think that's the biggest problem with such a conversion. As with the songs mentioned by another poster, that first scene was just something that occurred to me.

FWIW, one could also do playwright Robert Patrick's UNTOLD DECADES: SEVEN COMEDIES OF GAY ROMANCE, a collection of plays about gay relationship in each decade from the 1920s to the 1980s. Some of the plays are indeed about couples we would call "married" in spirit.

Updated On: 7/25/13 at 08:24 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 10:25pm

gay theatrical representations are still in their relative infancy.

Oh, for crap's sake. If ever there was a reason for infanticide!

If people want to make "gay theatrical representations," tell them to write some new representations with new gay characters telling new gay stories.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 10:34pm

What IS your problem, PJ, that you seem to have an epileptic seizure every time I use a word with more than two syllables? (Please note it wasn't I who brought up gay theory classes in the first place.)

You understood every word in my posts, so what, exactly, is the bloody problem?

That being said, I'm all for creating new gay works. But if heterosexuals are to be allowed the commercial advantages of revivals and revisals, why not homosexuals as well?

The more I think about it, the less I like the idea of an all-male or all-female I DO! I DO!

But I'm not prepared to say there isn't a classic somewhere that might not benefit from a little "gaying".

Updated On: 7/25/13 at 10:34 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 10:39pm

Mary Martin was always a bit mannish so I don't see that big of a difference. Now an all-male Follies would be another story.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 10:45pm

I'd like to see an "Our Town" set in 1960s Cherry Grove. With a cast completely made up of drag queens.



Instead of carrying umbrellas in the third act, all the drag queens would carry colorful cocktails with little umbrellas and bendy straws.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 10:47pm

No, PJ, that wasn't the "classic" to which I referred. And you haven't answered my question.

[justoldbill]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 11:01pm

How about an all-male version of VANITIES? Three gay cheer leaders dreamily gazing at their own reflections in their own individual mirrors throughout two intermissions. No suspension of disbelief there!

Updated On: 7/25/13 at 11:01 PM

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 11:14pm

I've always wanted to see "The Ladies Who Lunch" performed by a bitter old queen tired of years of being "the catty gay best friend." But that might just be me.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 11:34pm

Next thing you know someone will try to convince us that they can make a good movie out of "The Children's Hour" and make the love triangle completely heterosexual.

I mean can you imagine anything more preposterous?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 11:50pm

"I've always wanted to see "The Ladies Who Lunch" performed by a bitter old queen tired of years of being "the catty gay best friend."

Already been done by Elaine Stritch.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/25/13 at 11:57pm

I want David Cromer to direct the gay Our Town in Chicago and call it Our Boystown.

[greensgreens]

Posted: 7/26/13 at 1:31pm

Actually, I disagree, Bernadette Peters IS "Mark Twain Tonight!" does sound like it could be the theatrical event of many a season... I wish I knew "I Do" - this thread has prompted me to go seek out the cast album!

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 7/26/13 at 1:33pm

Gays: Make your own musicals!

[newintown]

Posted: 7/26/13 at 1:40pm

"You want a show about a gay couple through the years of marriage, great. Write one that speaks to what you want it to say."

Thank you so much for that. Sometimes it seems the theatre world can think of nothing but "revisals" and revivals. Actually writing a new piece that says what you want to say has become almost anomalistic.

[QuiteEmily]

Posted: 7/26/13 at 4:04pm

Folks! Please read the article! The play has NOT been revised as a story about one same sex couple! There are four actors who switch in and out of the roles of the (original) couple so that they seamlessly morph from a traditional heterosexual couple to same-sex versions throughout the marriage, telling the story of a single, epic union from different perspectives.

"Agnes" is sung by a woman!

At the bottom of the article on DCMetroTheatreArts, you can also read David Friscic's fine review of the show.

And if you're in the DC area - please come SEE this fantastic show!
Website: The American Century Theater