Harvey Fierstein’s trio of plays follows Arnold Beckoff, a Jewish drag performer living in New York City during the late 1970s. The narrative tracks Arnold’s life through three distinct stages: a turbulent romance with a bisexual man named Ed, the tragic loss of a committed partner to homophobic violence, and a tense confrontation with his judgmental mother. Throughout these acts, Arnold navigates the complexities of foster parenting as a single gay man and demands dignity from a society and a family that consistently undervalue his identity.
This play serves readers interested in the history of queer domesticity and the evolution of gay rights within the family unit. Those who study dramatic literature or LGBTQ history read it to see a frank depiction of the struggle for self-respect and legal recognition. Readers walk away with a clear understanding of the friction between traditional generational values and the emergence of modern queer identities, gaining a specific perspective on how marginalized individuals construct their own versions of kinship and inheritance.
- Published
- 1979
- Language
- EN
