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Title details for Gays on Broadway by Ethan Mordden - Available

Gays on Broadway

by Ethan Mordden
Daniel Henning
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
Writing with his customary verve and wit, author Ethan Mordden follows the steady liberation of gay themes on the American stage. The story begins in the early twentieth century, when gay characters were virtually banned from productions. The 1920s saw a flurry of plays closed on moral grounds as well as the Wales Padlock Act, which forbade representation of "sex degeneracy". While authorities made consistent attempts to shutter the movement, the public remained curious, and after a few decades of war making, a truce broke out when The Boys In the Band became a national smash hit. From this point on, gay theatre proved too popular to abolish.
With this change, theatre was graced with a host of unforgettable characters—from thrill killers to historical figures to drag performers, as well as professional gays (such as the defiantly effeminate window dresser in Kiss of the Spider Woman), closeted gays, and those run-of-the-mill citizens who don't reside entirely within the colorful nonconformist identity (like the two male lovers in the comedy Norman, Is That You?).
Spoken plays and musicals, playwrights, directors, and actors all played their part in popularizing the gay movement through art. Gays on Broadway is an essential chronological review of the long journey to bring the culture of gay men and women onto the American stage.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    June 1, 2023

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9798350803433
      • File size: 320891 KB
      • Duration: 11:08:31

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Daniel Henning's uplifting performance brings out the best in this audiobook exploring the importance and prevalence of gay culture on "The Street." Ethan Mordden's comprehensive research spanning the years 1910-2010 opens wide the closet doors, and Henning revels in the flamboyant anecdotes and colorful quotes that tumble out. Mordden credits early warriors such as 1920s female impersonator Julian Eltinge and Eva LeGalliene's lesbian repertory company with paving the way for shows with gay characters and themes. Henning has a delightful feel for the content, capturing mischievous grins as secretly gay writers manage to slip "insider" jokes into mainstream shows. With entertaining discussions of "out" writers and amusing analyses of both straight and gay productions, this is a wonderful listen! S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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