-Brenda Hillegas
photo by Mark Garvin
What is a torch song? By one definition, it’s the song a performer sings that’s often sad (and romantic) about their love for another person. It’s the idea of carrying a torch for someone, keeping that flame bold and bright even when the other person’s feelings are not mutual. Or not yet anyway.
Admit it, we’ve all been there. Torch Song isn’t just Harvey Fierstein’s semi-autobiographical story. It’s a love letter to everyone. We can all find bits and pieces to relate to somewhere in this show, whether you were a Jewish drag queen in New York in the late ’70s and early ’80s or not.
Arnold, beautifully and heart-wrenchingly played by Jamison Stern, meets Ed (Gregory Isaac) in a gay bar. They fall for each other, though Ed ultimately struggles with his identity and ends up marrying a woman, Laurel (Karen Peakes). Act 1 highlights the relationship of Ed and Arnold over the years, including a comical setting upstate where Arnold and his new boyfriend Alan (Tyler Elliott) end up in bed- really, the set is a bed and it’s brilliant- with Laurel and Ed. While the scenes are full of laughs, they’re also heartbreaking as the quartet pairs off in various formations to discuss one another’s feelings and secrets.
By the second act, we witness Arnold’s search for happiness and acceptance in New York City in the ’80s. From a devastating (and all too real, even now) loss, to wanting to build a family (Elliot Colahan as his adopted son, David, shines), and standing his ground, Arnold’s growth is some of the best character development I’ve seen all season. Grace Goglewski, as his mother, enters for some heavy scenes that remind us to stand up for who we are and what we are, not letting anyone take that away from us. Tell your people that you love them, too, every chance you get.
So many theatres in our area are wrapping up their seasons and there are a lot of shows to choose from in the next few weeks. But if you don’t add Torch Song to your must-see list, you’re truly missing out on something special. And historic. 1812 Productions, the only professional theater company in the country dedicated to comedy, is the first professional regional theater in Philadelphia to stage Torch Song. In over 50 years since Torch Song‘s inception– in its original trilogy format and the 2017 Broadway revision– this is the first time! The show’s Broadway production, which ran for over 1200 performances, won the Drama Desk Award and Tony Award for best new play.
Gather your chosen family and get tickets to Torch Song before it ends on May 19th.
Philadelphia RowHome Magazine's Blog 