Overview
Synopsis
Spanning more than five years, Torch Song Trilogy is Harvey Fierstein’s first theatrical success, an early Off-Off-Broadway production, and an important landmark in LGBTQ theatre. Arnold Beckoff is a drag performer in 1970s New York City. Comfortable in his own skin and with his sexuality, he is ready for a meaningful and lasting relationship with a man who is just proud. He meets Ed Reiss at a local gay bar, and while the two men care deeply for each other, Ed is hesitant to commit to a man, worried that he could lose his job and be shunned by his family because of his sexuality. Throughout their relationship as lovers and friends, Arnold and Ed pursue other romances and navigate family dynamics, always returning to each other for comfort and understanding.
Show Information
- Book
- Harvey Fierstein
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1978
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- New York City, late 1970s-early 1980s
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Adult, Late Teen, Early Teen, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters
Context
Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy is a trilogy of one-act plays that work as one complete story. The first of the plays, International Stud, premiered at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in February 1978. By May 1978 it opened at the Off-Broadway Players Theatre. The following year, Fugue in a Nursery played at La MaMa. In October 1981, the whole trilogy opened at the Richard Allen Center, and in January 1982 it transferred to the Actors’ Playhouse. Fierstein played Arnold; a young
to read the context for Torch Song Trilogy and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
International Stud
The set for “International Stud” is sets of platforms that represent the different locations, whether the International Stud bar, Arnold’s dressing room at the drag club, or the men’s apartments.
In his dressing room, Arnold Beckoff is getting ready for his performance as drag queen Virginia Hamm. As he transforms into the character, he talks directly to the audience, offering his experience and thoughts on relationships. He is a bit flippant about what he’s looking for
to read the plot for Torch Song Trilogy and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress