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StageQ is proud to announce its first
production of the 2002-2003 season, the Tony Award winning (Best
Play, 1982)
Torch
Song Trilogy.
Set in the 1970s, Torch Song Trilogy was originally
performed as three separate one-act plays. The first play, The
International Stud, introduces Arnold (played by Andy Jorishie,
recently seen in MTG’s La Cage Aux Folles), a Jewish female
impersonator who is struggling to find love with bisexual schoolteacher Ed
(Karl Reinhardt from Stroller’s Bad Habits). Fugue In A Nursery
ensues in the second play after Ed leaves Arnold for girlfriend Laurel
(Jennifer Maahs, a CTM veteran). The setting is a weekend country house
where chaos breaks out when Arnold introduces his new, young,
model-boyfriend Alan (Broom Street’s Mark Gapen) to Ed. The final play,
Widows and Children First! brings Arnold face-to-face with parenthood
with an adopted son (David Meldman, Carl the Dog in StageQ’s Stay Carl
Stay) and the only thing that really scares Arnold: the impending
visit from his mother (MTG’s Bonnie Balke).
As much a reflection of the importance of family and love, Torch
Song Trilogy is hailed as a classic comedy in Gay Theater. The
play was one of the first Broadway shows to have a major gay theme in its
plot. The 1988 movie version with Harvey Fierstein, Matthew Broderick and
Anne Bancroft was also one of the first mainstream movies to feature
homosexuality as its main theme. But the universal themes of finding
self-respect, love and the importance of family is what has made this
story a classic with both gay and straight audiences.
David Lawver, one of Madison’s most respected theatrical directors, guides
the play in his first collaboration with StageQ. Understanding the
importance of this show to a company like StageQ, he is very excited to
offer his skills with this show he’s long wanted to direct. StageQ
president Steve Noll is producing the show. “This is a crown jewel in gay
theater that Madison audiences have not had a chance to see, other than
the movie version. So they are going to be in for some good surprises”
says Noll. Ron Collins, who beautifully lit Mercury’s The Most Fabulous
Story Ever Told is doing Light Design. StageQ regular Mark Penner is
again creating a wonderful assortment of torch songs and more as Sound
Designer. David Lauritzen, who created the beautiful Gertrude Stein set
from StageQ’s last season is doing set and prop design. Dale Decker, a
long-time StageQ tech operator is handling the Stage Manager duties.
Torch Song Trilogy plays Thursdays (September 12, 19, 26),
Fridays (September 6, 13, 20, 27) and Saturdays (September 7, 14, 21, 28)
at 7:30 p.m. A special benefit performance for AIDS Walk Wisconsin will be
held Wednesday, September 25, 7:30 p.m. (Please note: No season or
complimentary tickets will be accepted for the benefit performance.) All
performances of Torch Song Trilogy are in the Drury at the Bartell
Community Theatre, 113 East Mifflin Street, Madison, Wisconsin. Due to
some adult content, this play is for mature audiences only.
Tickets are $15 for all shows and may
be purchased online at www.StageQ.com
or reserved by calling StageQ reservations at (608) 204-0306. |