Marin Theatre Company presents Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song May 9-June 2 in Mill Valley. This production is thoroughly enjoyable thanks to the extraordinary talent of the cast and creative team led by Director Evren Odcikin.
In 2017 Fierstein revised his1983 Tony Award winning play, Torch Song Trilogy, into a shorter, two-act version called Torch Song.The plot still centers on Arnold Beckhoff, a lonely Jewish man (and drag queen) looking for real love in New York City in the late 1970’s (before AIDS). As the story develops, the characters all struggle to find love despite the betrayal, confusion, judgment and unrequited feelings that often accompany it.
Dean Linnard’s range is incredible playing the role of Arnold. His performance is full of energy, touches your heart, makes you laugh and relate to his character’s yearning for love and understanding.
Patrick Andrew Jones (playing Arnold’s bi-sexual friend Ed) captures the essence of his character’s ambivalence and difficulty confronting his sexuality.
Kina Kantor is spot on as Laurel (Ed’s female lover) and Nancy Carlin (Arnold’s mother) is excellent showing the complexity of her character–a woman who loves her son but finds his “choices” difficult to accept.
Equally exceptional in their roles are Joe Ayers as David (a gay teen that Arnold takes in as a foster kid) and Edric Young who plays Alan, a sweet young man who gives up “hustling,” after Arnold saves him from a violent confrontation, falls in love with Arnold and becomes his lover.
Kudos to Sarah Phykitt for her incredible Scenic Design—especially the giant bed, Jessie Amoroso for the lovely Costume Design, Lana Palmer (Sound Design), and Nick Carvalho (Stage Manager). Their creativity and talent add much to this a memorable show!
Coming up next at Marin Theatre Company is Yaga by Kat Sandler, October 10-November 3.
