Homosexuality and Aid in American Broadway

Homosexuality and AIDS Explored in American Broadway

Introduction

American Broadway has always been a melting pot for cultural issues, political activism and social dialogue. Hence, it is no surprise that numerous productions in the post 1970s period have indirectly or directly dealt with the issue of homosexuality, and the related AIDS epidemic. In this paper, I will discuss the exploration of these two issues in La Cage aux Folles (1983), Falsettos (1992) and Rent (1996).

La Cage Aux Folles (1983)

As documented on the PBS website, Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman's musical La Cage aux Folles opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on August 21, 1983. Directed by Arthur Laurents, the original Broadway cast included George Hearn as Albin, Gene Barry as Georges, John Weiner as Jean-Michel, Walter Charles as M. Renaud, Jay Garner as Edouard Dindon, Merle Louise as Mme. Dindon, Elizabeth Parrish as Jacqueline, Leslie Stevens as Anne, and William Thomas, Jr. as Jacob. Set design was by David Mitchell, costume design by Theoni V. Aldredge, and lighting design by Jules Fisher. Based on a 1978 French play, also named La Cage aux Folles, by Jean Poiret, Harvey Fierstein wrote the book and Jerry Herman composed and wrote the music and lyrics for the musical. La Cage aux Folles was the only show that Harvey Feinstein and Jerry Herman collaborated upon. However, they had many individual successes such as Hairspray and Torch Song Trilogy for Fierstein, and Hello, Dolly!, and Mack and Mabel for Herman. Despite it provocative homosexual characters and risqué storyline, their collaboration proved to be extremely successful as La Cage aux Folles's original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.

The musical was conceived a few years before the 1983 Broadway premiere. During this time, it was the start of the AIDS epidemic. However, nobody really understood what kind of disease it was, where it came from or how it was transmitted. According to online source "History of AIDS", "In 1981, the first cases of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) were identified among gay men in the United States, acquiring the designation GRIDS (Gay Related Immune Deficiency)". Very soon, it started to become prevalent in New York City especially around the artistic communities, and Broadway. Although the topic of AIDS was not included in the musical, it definitely brought more somber attention to the central theme of La Cage aux Folles – homosexual love. And, it also killed many of the cast members during the production. As George Hearns recalls, "We lost I guess three-fourths of those guys, certainly half of them".

The story revolves around two gay middle-aged men, George and Albin, who have been in a relationship for over two decades. George owns a glamorous nightclub in St Tropez, France, where Albin is the main attraction and star. When Jean Michel, George's son from a short-lived affair twenty years ago, bring home his fiancée, Anne, whom is the daughter of an extremely conservative French politician, it brings turmoil into the household. As Jean Michel is embarrassed of his gay parents, George and Albin try to hide their relationship but to no avail. A musical comedy about family, love, acceptance, and respect, La Cage aux Folles is a heartwarming and funny story.

Falsettos (1992)

As documented in William Finn and James Lapine's Falsettos Libretto, the musical premiered on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre on April 29, 1992. It was directed by James Lapine, and produced by Barry and FranWiesller, with Alecia Parker as the associate producer. The set was designed by Douglas Stein, costumes by Ann Hould-Ward, and the lighting by Frances Aronson. Musical arrangement was by Michael Starobin, musical direction by Scott Frankel and sound design by Peter Fitzgerals. The cast featured Michael Rupert as Marvin, Stephen Bogardus as Whizzer, Chip Zen as Mendel, Jonathan Kaplan as Jason, and Barbara Walsh as Trina. During the course of the run, which lasted 486 performances, Mandy Patinkin eventually took over the role of Marvin.

According to a Backstage article written by Leonard Jacobs, "James Lapine Retraces his Journey… Reflects on an Unconventional Career", Ira Weitzman had introduced James Lapine to William Finn. This successful collaboration resulted in "March of the Falsettos" in 1981 and the sequel "Falsettoland" in 1990. Both pieces were combined into "Falsettos" and premiered on Broadway in 1992.

"March of the Falsettos" was conceived during the start of the AIDS epidemic in 1981. However, the epidemic exploded in the mid 1980s, where the