Torch Song Trilogy

I'm not qualified to rate this, as I've not read enough plays nor am I an urban gay male. But I found it melodramatic and simplistic. So... I would say, no, it doesn't have universal appeal. Still, since it's brief, accessible, and predates AIDS, I admit that it has historical relevance. And I've no doubt that it speaks Truth to many. Let me just say, thank you to all activists and voters who are helping everyone to realize that people are people, love is love, and family is family, no matter the flavor.

Torch Song Trilogy has been on one of my reading lists for a while now. As the title says, Torch Song Trilogy contains three plays: The International Stud (1978), Fugue in the Nursery (1979) and Widows and Children First! (1979). All three plays share two central characters, Arnold and Ed - in the first play Arnold and Ed meet and Ed dumps Arnold for a woman, in the second Arnold and his young boyfriend Alan are visiting Ed and his understanding (but clueless) wife. The last play sees Ed and his wife separated, with Ed kipping on Arnold's sofa. Arnold, in the meantime, has gone through with the plans he had made with his late boyfriend and become the adoptive father of fifteen-year old David, something his widowed mother who comes show more visiting cannot understand. Reading plays is never the same as seeing them acted on stage but nonetheless, I enjoyed reading these. show less

Beautiful play. I read this after having seen the film.

The International Stud - 2m 1f
Fugue is a Nursery - 3m 1f
Widows and Children First! - 3m 1f