Torch Song Story
Torch Song is based on the Torch Song Trilogy. The original play consisted of three segments: International Stud, Fugue in a Nursery, and Widows and Children First. The play was written by Harvey Fierstein and it is an autobiographical account of his life. The original play premiered in January 1982. When it originally premiered, the play was inspirational and groundbreaking
The play that we saw was a revival of the original Torch Song Trilogy. It has a shorter run time and cuts out some pieces from the original play, thereby shortening the play time from almost four hours to only two and a half hours. The storyline is set in the 1970 and 1980’s, yet it still resonates with us in 2017. The story is one that we can all empathize with: the search for love, the search for our true selves, and the search for acceptance.
Arnold Beckoff is an effeminate gay drag queen living in New York City. In the heart wrenching first act, we see Arnold find his stud, his one true love. After attempting to have a relationship with his new lover, Ed, his boyfriend decides to stay closeted and date a woman. Arnold is heartbroken that he is losing his perfect man, due to the fact that he is not a woman. This act portrays the heartbreak when people who are in love cannot be together due to: societal, political, or familial norms.
In the second act, “Fugue in a nursery”, we see the civilized mingling of Ed and his wife (Laurel) with Arnold and his new lover(Alan). The scene is set in one big bed with everyone together. The bed symbolizes that they are in it together. In the sense that Ed and Arnold’s love for each other is affecting their new relationships. The scene was powerful in the sense that you see how superfluous Laurel and Allen are. They are the extra pieces of the intricate puzzle that did not need to be complicated. Ed and Arnold fit together perfectly but due to the rampant homophobia of the 1970s and 1980s, they were forced to be apart. This scene, although civil, showed the ramifications of Ed’s closeted lifestyle choice and Arnold’s longing for his lost “Stud”.
The third and final act is in some ways the most powerful. It shows Arnold grown up living on his own in Manhattan with a son (David) and mourning his lost love Allan. Arnold’s mother comes to town and her visit brings with it more baggage than her suitcase. We see Arnold and his homophobic mother’s (Ma) strained relationship. Arnold is happy and content with the life he has chosen, he followed his heart and lived proudly outside of the claustrophobic closet walls. We see that Ma loves Arnold very much and wants what she thinks is best for him. Arnold and Ma ultimately get into a fiery altercation. Through their angry words thrown at each other, we learn some valuable information, Allan was murdered in a hate crime. The heart-tugging scene that ensued was one of the most powerful scenes in the whole play. Arnold ends up telling Ma that if she can’t respect and love him then he doesn’t need her in his life “There’s one more thing you better understand. I have taught myself to sew, cook, fix plumbing, build furniture – I can even pat myself on the back when necessary – all so I don’t have to ask anyone for anything. There’s nothing I need from anyone except for love and respect and anyone who can’t give me those two things has no place in my life” (Fierstein 1982). This moment is a turning point in the play since Arnold opens up about his resilience and how he has learned to rely solely on himself. This is a super powerful message to, the audience, and the world, you do not need anyone else in the world for anything other than obtaining love and respect. People in our lives can be there to offer love and respect or for their own selfish purposes. This Message resonated with audience members in the 1970s and likewise in 2017.
At the end of the play, we see Arnold sitting on his couch clutching onto some valuable keepsakes. The options are endless, we as the audience don’t know how the story will end. Will Ed go back to Laurel? Or will Ed move in with Arnold and help raise David as his son. Will Ma ever come to fully accept Arnold and his lifestyle? These are all questions that will never be answered, yet they are not vital to the ending. Arnold is happy: he has a son, the possibility of a relationship with Ed, and for the first time in his life he feels as if he and his Mother have finally broken their veil of silence, and discussed his homosexuality. As the stage darkens, we all walk away enlightened, finally understanding the importance of love and acceptance in our lives.
