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Michael Urie stars in this critically acclaimed gay rights drama.
What Is the Story of The Temperamentals?
Set in the early 1950s, The Temperamentals is the true story of the founding of The Mattachine Society, one of the earliest gay activism groups in the United States. Created by Communist and social radical Harry Hay and famed fashion designer Rudi Gernreich, the underground organization came together secretly, building its membership through various forms of covert communication during a time when nearly all homosexuals were closeted. The play explores the trials of the society’s founding fathers as they risked their lives and livelihoods to gain equality. More than just a history play, the show is also a love story, detailing the romance of odd couple Hay and Gernreich as their passion for their cause and each other grew.
What Is The Temperamentals?
While The Temperamentals could easily become a stiff piece of American history, the show’s minimalist storytelling style and wry humor make it seem more like an episode of Mad Men (sans all the pretty girls in retro dresses) than a college course. The spotlight shines most clearly on the relationship between Hay, a curmudgeonly radical, and Gernreich, a European charmer who bemusedly counter’s his lover’s more abrasive behavior. The play manages to zip along at a steady pace, bolstered by the comic timing of its ensemble and the inspiring story at its core.
Is The Temperamentals Good for Kids?
Though the play never gets graphic, its mild sexual content, adult themes and cursing makes it inappropriate for young audiences.
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