Gays on Broadway

The impact of gay people on American theater is impossible to quantify, but musical theater expert Mordden’s (Pick a Pocket Or Two: A History of British Musical Theatre) excellent study of more than 100 years of Broadway history provides a nuanced look at the influence and representation of gay culture on stage. Beginning in the 1910s with the earliest drag queens, a fair amount of subtext and overtly gay story lines and lyrics permeated the next 30 years. That’s until the post-war era saw an increase in censorship and the lingering effects of the 1927 Wales Padlock Law, which prohibited any form of sexual “perversion” on stage. The following decades, however, witnessed a steady rise in gay representation, from serious dramas to musicals, providing some of the most influential productions in Broadway history. In addition to a seemingly endless list of actors, writers, and directors, the book explores the stories behind key productions, such as The Captive, Tea and Sympathy, The Boys in the Band, Angels in America, Fun Home, and dozens of lesser known but important contributions. Mordden’s knowledge and research are impeccable, and his lively, conversational tone draws readers in for more.