Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy

I found the lead was too old to play this part. I also thought it was too expensive at $60 to $75 for the level of professionalism present in this production. It came across as community theater. Which might have been fine at a lower price and not billed as the professional return to NYC of this piece. I find that Grizzle didnt convey with much tact these points. However, they are true. It is hard for me to believe that this show would continue with a positive review from a legitimate publication. Not that I am saying that these reviews mean everything or that they should mean everything. However, there was talk at the coffee shop nearby by other audience members that there were problems with this show including: age; approach to characters; quality of the set and costumes; and pace.

I found the lead was too old to play this part. I also thought it was too expensive at $60 to $75 for the level of professionalism present in this production. It came across as community theater. Which might have been fine at a lower price and not billed as the professional return to NYC of this piece. I find that Grizzle didnt convey with much tact these points. However, they are true. It is hard for me to believe that this show would continue with a positive review from a legitimate publication. Not that I am saying that these reviews mean everything or that they should mean everything. However, there was talk at the coffee shop nearby by other audience members that there were problems with this show including: age; approach to characters; quality of the set and costumes; and pace.

First and foremost, I am compelled to respond to the review by Toughlikegrizzle: You are a very angry person and your personal insults to the cast members in the show are downright disrespectful. Shame on you. The production is very professional. Cas Marino totally submerges himself into his role. He is totally believable and genuinely touching. He acts from his gut and the physicality of his portrayal of Arnold is very natural. Ian M.McDonald as Ed is well cast to spark off of Marinos Arnold with equal intensity. The chemistry they display in their scenes together flows with warmth, compassion and admiration for each others strengths and weaknesses which explains the true essence of what love is all about. Christian Thomas as Alan was a tad nervous and he does miss the mark a bit in communicating that he is more than just a pretty face. Hearing about his death doesnt have the impact that it should due this lack of nuance. Amie Backner as Laurel is totally believable as a woman who speaks with conviction of her desire for Ed. She also taints her characterization as selfish in her motivations and masks them well in pop psychology garble. Chris Kelly is very affective in his role as a teenager. He conveys a strong sense of having a hard core beneath his childish antics. This is why he is a good match for Arnold. Their hard core for living their lives are medals of Honor people are always challenging them as to what is their reality. Arnolds hard core is not matched to Mary Lynchs portrayal of the mother. Instead, Lynch chooses the softer side, the less confrontational side of the character that gets exasperated at what she doesnt understand about her son. I wanted to see her anger more to see just how she is just like Arnold in a lot of ways. Again, this is not a fault of Lynch or the production at all; it?s just a matter of choices. What the show did make me painfully aware of is the struggle Harvey Fierstein must have felt acutely at the time the play was written. Alienation, isolation, abandonment, fear were daily realities. Mr.Fierstein also incorporates the timeless questions about fidelity, the desire for honest communication between partners and what it means to explore open relationships. All of which is equally relevant today as it was back then. This production brings these concepts to us in a refreshing, compelling way that lingers way beyond the walk down the four flights of stairs you may have struggled with to get to see this play. And when you get to the street, you realize that this production was worth every step.

I saw the three acts of TST over the past two weekends time and thought it was a well cast show with many strong points. The characters were believable in their roles with good chemistry ,overall. Act 3s powerful dialogue between Cas Marino and Mary Lynch stole the show. The role of Laurel was played wonderfull and that of David was young fresh and promising as an actor. The production showed a colaboration of a lot of hard work and talent . Anyone who could post an outright cruel and vicious review on this show, as one did, only proved one thing and that is whatever medication he is on and shrink he is seeing isnt working. Terrific Show guys!!

I dont usually post, but Im just wondering if toughlikegrizzle saw the same Torch Song shows I did. I guess so, since the elevator was out of order. Otherwise I felt the actors and the production itself did nothing to hinder this remarkable trio of plays and instead brought it to life in a fun and imaginative way in an intimate space. And Mr. Marino as Arnold would make Harvey Fierstein proud, in my opinion.

Two words best describe this show: "Amateur Hour". Actually make more that four painful Amateur Hours. There is absolutely no nuance in Cas Marinos portrayal of Arnold. He is far too old to play this part. The amount of onstage time it is impossible to look past this. He is over the top in everything. International Studs infamous back room scene allows for this kind of broad comedy. However, when you get to the last act and have to feel for this character...you feel NOTHING. Cas Marino is not an Actor. He is a Comic. At best a second rate one at that. Why my vehemence in my assertion of his lack of talent and this productions lack of professionalism? Because this production bills itself as something it is not. The professional return to Manhattan of this quintessential Harvey Fierstein work it is so many Offs I cant even begin to count. There is no sign of professionalism here not Equity, no ATPAM, etc.... Ian Macdonald as Ed was unbelievably horrible, and he can;t even stick to his day job. He is married to the Director and designed the set, if you call uneven edging and no flow from space to space design. Valerie Keane as Lady Blues has a very pleasant voice. However, the staging and lighting of her moments ruins what could have been the standout of this production. Christian Thomas as Alan is very nervous on stage. He is very good looking but it is impossible to believer that he could ever fall for this Arnold. Amie Backner as Laurel has the eyes of a silent movie actress one only wishes she had been born during that time so we dont have to listen to her ingratiating New York accent. Ed leaves Arnold for her because she has all the things Arnold doesnt a vagina, class, and the ability to have the respect of his parents. I must say I do believe Ms. Backner has a vagina. However, the rest is sorely missing. Chris Kelly as David...hmmm...he is probably the strongest Actor in the bunch. However, there is no way from here to Hades that he is even for a second believable as a misunderstood Teenager. Which is surprising given the post AARP age of Cas Marino who plays Arnold. Mary Lynch completely ruins the third Act of this piece. She is a contemporary of Mr. Marino and plays this part like the Mother from Come Blow Your Horn. Estelle Getty must be spinning in her grave. The production that should have been done in New York City is the one with Seth Rudestky that took place in Queens a short time ago. That had all the elements of a potential successful NYC revival. Last but not least. I paid more than $60 not including coffee on the unbelievably long breaks between Acts. Did I mention they booked this theater knowing that there was no working elevator? My companion who is disabled could not get into the space over 4 flights of stairs. This is a horrible production that even at $16 would have been highway robbery.

...everyone - gay, straight, bi, indifferent. It is about life, love and family, struggling to be who you are in spite of all life throws at us. The story is as strong as ever, and the movie is no substitute for the live performance this group achieves. Everyone fills their roles beautifully, and Cas Marino may just have you leave the theater saying "Harvey who?" Yes his performance as Arnold is just that strong and transformative. Money well spent on a gem with a run that is too brief. Oh, and dont be intimidated by the weekend commitment. The breaks are great chances to eat and each act leaves you wanting more, so youll be eager to head back to the theater.

I dont think I wouldve ever had the inspiration to keep on going with my aspirations in acting and music. I absolutely LOVED every second of this performance and I couldnt wait to see the next act, once the previous act ended. If it wasnt for my absolutely adorable boyfriend, who is also an aspiring actor and an acting major, I wouldve probably stayed at home doing absolutely NOTHING and be completely bored out of my mind that Saturday we went to see it. I was so glad to have met Malini, Ian Ed, Cas Arnold, Christian Alan and the rest of the crew there. I loved Cas performance and he kept me attentive to whatever was going on onstage. I loved his character, Arnold. I loved how everything was set up. In Act One, where Cas was talking with Ian on the phone, I loved the scene set up for that. I also enjoyed watching the bedroom scenes in Act Two. Overall, I believe every single person involved in this, did an amazing job. And i absolutely cant wait to see more! : 3

I was very excited when I saw that this play was being presented at the Sargent Theatre. I saw the movie awhile ago and was interested to see it perfomed on-stage. My boyfriend and I really thought the performances were good especially the lead actor played by Cas Marino. This was a difficult character to portray, but he had an ease about him that made "Arnold" so believable. I actually felt all the ups and downs that he went through and loved the connection between he and Laurel, played by Amie Backner. She enabled the audience to feel all these different emotions towards her character which is not an easy feat. I am going to the last act of the show this weekend and hope that others will see this terrific show as well.

Oh what a show! It was only my second time ever watching a play outside of school productions and I dont think I went wrong I wouldve went even if I didnt win those vouchers at Arts 4 Arts Sake. How jealous was I when all of the actors came on stage one by one and performed with the same vigor that athletes show in sports. Cas as Arnold was phenomenal. For me, he defintely stole the show since Act I. The cast of characters were so outrageously funny: Ed, David, Mama Beckoff, Alan, Laurel and the silent and mysterious Murray all help to flush out the emotions of the play and the actors. The singing and music were amazing in its own right, the composers really went all out! You know, I was told once that to put on a great performance meant to perform like you couldnt live without doing it with all of your heart and spirit. In my heart I believe that this cast absolutely pulled that off!

Oh what a show! It was only my second time ever watching a play outside of school productions and I dont think I went wrong I wouldve went even if I didnt win those vouchers at Arts 4 Arts Sake. How jealous was I when all of the actors came on stage one by one and performed with the same vigor that athletes show in sports. Cas as Arnold was phenomenal. For me, he defintely stole the show since Act I. The cast of characters were so outrageously funny: Ed, David, Mama Beckoff, Andy, Laurel and the silent and mysterious Murray all help to flush out the emotions of the play and the actors. I was told once that to put on a great performance meant to perform like you couldnt live without doing it with all of your heart and spirit. In my heart I believe that this cast absolutely pulled that off!

I am a huge fan of this show from years ago. When I heard it would be playing at the Sargent Theater, I knew that I had to be one of the first to purchase a ticket to see it again. All I can say to you is that TORCH SONG touched my heart back in the day, and as I have aged, for some reason the show now touches my heart even more, on a deeper personal level. Cas Marino is a standout and brings a new dimension to the role of Arnold. I loved Harvey as Arnold for sure...but I am so profoundly moved by this production, it feels even closer to me than the original did. For a low budget production, everyone involved in this production has earned their keep in spades. You can see clearly that all the work done by everyone is truly a labor of love. From costumes, to sets, to direction to acting. Please dont miss this one. For the money, its one of the best values in the theater these days. Wendy Kaufman