The final weekend of the queer classic, Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song, is taking place at the Vintage Theater in Aurora, CO.
Curtains first rose for the iconic stage production on May 30, just in time for Pride Month.
Written by Fierstein and directed by Denver’s newest creative addition, Tom Bruett, Torch Song delves into the basic human desire to love and be loved beyond the socially imposed constraints of identity. Additionally, it ultimately serves as a reflection of the lives of queer people in the United States just a few decades ago.
Torch Song follows Arnold Beckoff, a Jewish drag queen in New York City in the 1970s and 1980s. As written in Vintage Theater’s bill, Beckoff wants nothing more than “a husband, a child, and a pair of bunny slippers that fit.”
On a deeper level, the story touches upon several realities of the queer community at the time, some of which remain pervasive today. These include, but are by no means limited to, homophobia, lavender marriages, grief, and parental intolerance.
The 1982 Broadway production initially had a runtime of four hours, but was condensed by Fierstein in 2017 to two hours and forty-five minutes. This revision managed to preserve the beautiful original message while appealing to the expectations of modern audiences.
The stellar cast at Vintage Theater includes Star Ilalaole as protagonist Arnold Beckoff, Austin Jensen as love interest Ed, Jack Bucher as a model named Alan, Kimberly Colisch as Ed’s fiancée Laurel, Kai Andrews as Arnold’s son David, and Diane Wziontka as Arnold’s mother, simply called Ma.
A content advisory is given in the digital playbill, stating “Torch Song contains mature content including discussions of suicide, depictions of violence and portrayals of sexual acts. Viewer discretion advised.”
Vintage Theater will hold the final show on June 29. Tickets can be purchased online for the last three performances.
Photo courtesy of Vintage Theater
