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Inspirational, but real.
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Torch Song Trilogy
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A trilogy of plays tracing the relationship between Arnold and Ed over a six-year period and dealing with the themes of parenting, fidelity, family, loving, and homosexuality
175 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1,1978
This edition
- Format
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175 pages, Hardcover
- Published
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August 12, 1983 by Villard
- ISBN
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9780394534282
- ASIN
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039453428X
- Language
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English
About the author
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Harvey Forbes Fierstein is an American Tony Award-winning and Emmy Award-winning actor, playwright, and screenwriter.
The gravelly-voiced actor perhaps is known best for the play and film Torch Song Trilogy, which he wrote and starred in. The 1982 Broadway production won him two Tony Awards, for Best Play and Best Actor in a Play, two Drama Desk Awards, for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Actor in a Play, and the Theatre World Award, and the film earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination as Best Male Lead.
Fierstein also wrote the book for La Cage aux Folles (1983), winning another Tony Award, this time for Best Book of a Musical, and a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Book. Legs Diamond, his 1988 collaboration with Peter Allen, was a critical and commercial failure, closing after 72 previews and 64 performances. His other playwriting credits include Safe Sex, Spookhouse, and Forget Him.
The gravelly-voiced actor perhaps is known best for the play and film Torch Song Trilogy, which he wrote and starred in. The 1982 Broadway production won him two Tony Awards, for Best Play and Best Actor in a Play, two Drama Desk Awards, for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Actor in a Play, and the Theatre World Award, and the film earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination as Best Male Lead.
Fierstein also wrote the book for La Cage aux Folles (1983), winning another Tony Award, this time for Best Book of a Musical, and a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Book. Legs Diamond, his 1988 collaboration with Peter Allen, was a critical and commercial failure, closing after 72 previews and 64 performances. His other playwriting credits include Safe Sex, Spookhouse, and Forget Him.
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Community Reviews
Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 80 votes)
5 stars
32(40%)
4 stars
23(29%)
3 stars
25(31%)
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80 reviews All reviews
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How have I gone this long without ever reading this play? Or more accurately, these plays, as it is a group of three distinct stories, that all work as individual plays. However, the combined effect of reading them all back to back was much more impactful then if I believe it would have been reading them alone. I’m sure seeing them performed would be similar.
There is a lot that I loved about Torchsong, and honestly very little that I didn’t love.
We can start with the characters. Every single character, was written so well. They each had their unique qualities and their own voice. Each felt integral to the success of the story. There wasn’t one character that felt out of place, and while it is clear that Arnold is the star, each of the other major characters had so many beautiful moments.
The dialogue between all of them, accompanied by the stage direction and set up, was so effortlessly nuanced. The conversations, while dramatic, were all rooted in just enough reality that I could escape into them. We’ve all had that “why don’t you love me,” phone call. We’ve all had moments where we get disconnected from a parent.
From the very first line, “Let me finishing emasculating this eye, and I’ll be right with you…” I knew I was in for a treat! That first monologue was perfection! There was so much said in that opening. So much humor, and heart, and commentary. It was a brilliant monologue that I only wish I had known about when I was a theatre kid!
I also found myself in so much admiration of how each play sort of evolved with the characters. The first is very abstract with little staging and very little dialogue between characters. The second focuses more on the relationships and the staging is set to feel connected but vulnerable. When you reach the third play, the staging is realistic, and visceral. As the characters, relationships and story progress from to play to ply, so too does the dialogue, staging, and aesthetic.
Honestly, I would love to see this performed! I have no idea how I have sat on this for so long! I picked it up because I’ve started to read Harvey Fierstein’s memoir and wanted some more context to him then the movies he’s done.
This play was beautiful, hilarious, and deeply human! I fell in love with every aspect of it!
There is a lot that I loved about Torchsong, and honestly very little that I didn’t love.
We can start with the characters. Every single character, was written so well. They each had their unique qualities and their own voice. Each felt integral to the success of the story. There wasn’t one character that felt out of place, and while it is clear that Arnold is the star, each of the other major characters had so many beautiful moments.
The dialogue between all of them, accompanied by the stage direction and set up, was so effortlessly nuanced. The conversations, while dramatic, were all rooted in just enough reality that I could escape into them. We’ve all had that “why don’t you love me,” phone call. We’ve all had moments where we get disconnected from a parent.
From the very first line, “Let me finishing emasculating this eye, and I’ll be right with you…” I knew I was in for a treat! That first monologue was perfection! There was so much said in that opening. So much humor, and heart, and commentary. It was a brilliant monologue that I only wish I had known about when I was a theatre kid!
I also found myself in so much admiration of how each play sort of evolved with the characters. The first is very abstract with little staging and very little dialogue between characters. The second focuses more on the relationships and the staging is set to feel connected but vulnerable. When you reach the third play, the staging is realistic, and visceral. As the characters, relationships and story progress from to play to ply, so too does the dialogue, staging, and aesthetic.
Honestly, I would love to see this performed! I have no idea how I have sat on this for so long! I picked it up because I’ve started to read Harvey Fierstein’s memoir and wanted some more context to him then the movies he’s done.
This play was beautiful, hilarious, and deeply human! I fell in love with every aspect of it!
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4.5 stars. I absolutely love the play, and after I saw it on Broadway in 2019, it instantly became my all-time favorite. I love how Fierstein uses the backdrop and social issues of what occurred during this time period to help convey this deeply stunning character study.
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It was great to revisit one of my favorite plays, in it's newly re-envisioned form. Doesn't feel dated and is still brilliant and contains some of the best dialogue ever!
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A must read for anyone over 16. Mandatory reading for anyone i love. Life changing. Eye opening. Mind opening.
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Been meaning to read this from my shelf for a long time and today was the day! However, it was very difficult to visualize due to intricate staging. I need to see it in order to fully appreciate it since it is difficult to read. The topic is already controversial and difficult but not easy to read and imagine.
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Beautiful play. I read this after having seen the film.
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I liked the first part ("The International Stud") and I LOVED the third part ("Widows and Children First!"), but I didn't enjoy the middle section ("Fugue in a Nursery"). It probably works better on the stage.
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