Monday, September 12, 2011
Mini Plays Dealing With Gay Marriage Head to NYC
Backstage: A collection of nine short plays by playwrights including Neil LaBute, Doug Wright, Paul Rudnick and Moises Kaufman that all deal with gay marriage will be making its off-Broadway debut next month.
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5 comments:
Although it is great to see a show that supports gay marriage, I wonder if it will be pointless in raising awareness, as it is being catered to an audience that is likely already very aware (and, as it is off-broadway, likely already support) gay marriage. I wish the play would travel, particularly to states that do not yet support gay marriage, and maybe have a bigger impact over those who are not yet 100% in support of these rights. It is great, though, to see some of the proceeds going towards pro-gay marriage organizations, something that will hopefully be able to push the movement for equal rights forwards.
My initial thought was this makes me so happy! And I still feel that way. But Sophia brings up a good point. They're doing this play in Greenwich Village. It's not like that neighborhood screams conservative people who need to be more open about gay marriage. So I wonder why they decided to produce it there. I think it's still positive to promote gay marriage no matter where, but it's true they are performing for audiences who already agree with gay marriage. Although thinking about it, maybe that was the point since they're donating the money. If they fill seats with people who support gay marriage, they will sell more tickets and that means more donations.
I don't think at this point in time that there is any "pointless" raising of awareness about gay marriage. Yes, gay marriage has been legalized in New York, but there is a much larger national battle over gay marriage. I've spoken with many people in the arts and am surprised to find that they have never heard of DOMA, the defensive of marriage act. While thousands of couples are now marrying in New York, they are still not recognized by the federal government as a married couple. Partners can still be deported, benefits are not honored, taxes are a headache, and if you leave the state you may no longer be "married" depending on where you go. New York is the largest state to have passed gay marriage and it should stay that way. Many states that passed gay marriage in the past have reversed that decision. Progress is not always a forward marching battle. Our nation continues to revert and step back. So no, I don't think that educating and discussing gay marriage will be "pointless" for a long, long time.
I agree with Sophie that the play's location being open to gay marriage will be good for ticket sales. Which is always an important point, but I think especially so in this case since part of the proceeds are donated. I also agree with Sophia that this show will probably not draw in those who are not already supportive of gay marriage, but I feel that you have to start somewhere. If more shows and demonstrations like this are done more people will know about them and eventually the shows message will reach a varied audience. Putting this show on tour in places that do not support gay marriage right now is probably not cost effective, the goal is that by doing plays like this in supportive areas those areas will expand and gradually non-supportive areas will become a thing of the past. This is merely and example of the first steps toward that ideal eventuality, maybe not a large or daring step but a step none the less.
I am all for having works that support a right and equality but to me this is nothing new. As Sophia said, it is great in the way that it might help people who are not completely 100% in support. Ariel stated a good point that there is no problem in continuing to raise awareness for a right that we should all have equally. Until this right is globally or nationally recognized, this works will still be a pioneer in issues they may discuss. Since the amount of time it will take for gay rights to be fully recognized, the effect these pieces could wear off in time if too many are produced and in the end people could be desensitized for good or worse. In the meantime, even if these works aren't anything specifically new, they will have an impact on our society.
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