The Twilight of the Golds

The Production Company presents Jonathan Tolins’ The Twilight of the Golds. T L Kolman directs.

Introducing the Golds: Phyllis and Walter are comfortable, liberal Jewish parents with a gay son, David (a set designer infatuated with Wagner’s Ring Cycle), and an under-achieving married daughter Suzanne, both of whom they adore. Meet Suzanne’s husband Rob: A genetic researcher whose recent breakthrough allows him to unlock the genetic code of unborn offspring …which leads to the dilemma: At their anniversary gathering Suzanne announces to Rob and her family that she’s pregnant. Shortly thereafter her husband brings home the news that his testing has determined that their child will be born gay. An incredible debate ensues about nothing less than the morality of parents picking-and-choosing their children and the ominous consequences of that choice. Would David be here if his parents had known his genetic destiny? Would Suzanne? And what will Suzanne and Rob decide to do with this awesome knowledge?

In the wake of recent legal questions about individual rights and the ever-expanding dawn of genetic discovery, Mr. Tolins’ powerful play may well stand more relevant now than when initially written.