Michael Urie to Star in New Revival of Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song

Drama Desk Award winner Michael Urie (Buyer & Cellar) will star in a new, retitled revival of Harvey Fierstein's classic play Torch Song this fall at Second Stage Theatre. The 35th anniversary production will be directed by Moisés Kaufman, with performances beginning September 28, 2017. Opening is set for late October.

"I'm thrilled that Second Stage Theatre will be reviving Torch Song Trilogy next season," Fierstein said in a statement. "In conversation, I’ve been encouraging director Moisés Kaufman to look at the play with fresh eyes. I would never think of rewriting the plays but have given him a newly edited text that reconceives the way I want the story told. Theater is a living breathing entity and so are audiences. Even the most faithful stage recreations are tinted by the moment in which they are experienced. I’ve asked Carole Rothman to call the evening simply, Torch Song, and let’s see what truths we can preserve, what histories we can rediscover and what futures we can forge together. Living theater has always been my life’s goal."

Urie will take on the role of Arnold Beckoff, originated by Fierstein himself. The work is described as follows: "It’s 1979 in New York City and Arnold Beckoff is on a quest for love, purpose and family. He’s fierce in drag and fearless in crisis, and he won’t stop until he achieves the life he desires as a doting husband and a Jewish mother. Now, Arnold is back…and he’s here to sing you a torch song."

A collection of three plays, Torch Song Trilogy opened on Broadway at the Little Theatre (now the Helen Hayes) on June 10, 1982, where it enjoyed a groundbreaking run, earning Tony Awards for Best Play and Best Actor in a Play (Fierstein) and running for 1,222 performances, closing on May 19, 1985. Prior to its move to Broadway, Torch Song Trilogy ran off-Broadway at the Richard Allen Center, produced by The Glines, and also at La Mama and The Actor’s Playhouse.

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