From four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots, Newsies, La Cage aux Folles) comes CASA VALENTINA, his first play in almost thirty years and his first-ever collaboration with Manhattan Theatre Club. Two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Wicked) directs this funny, fascinating world premiere based on actual events.
Back in 1962, most men went to the Catskill Mountains to escape the summer heat, but others took the two-hour drive to escape something else entirely: being men. Nestled in the land of dirty dancing and borscht belt comedy sat an inconspicuous bungalow colony that catered to a very special clientele: heterosexual men whose favorite pastime was dressing and acting as women. It was paradise for these men - white-collar professionals with families - to spend their weekends discreetly and safely inhabiting their chosen female alter egos. But when faced with the opportunity to become an official organization, these "self-made women" had to decide whether public recognition would help them gain a place in open society or spell their own personal disaster.
Infused with Fierstein's trademark wit, this moving, insightful and delightfully entertaining new work offers a glimpse into the lives of a group of unforgettable characters as they search for acceptance and happiness in their very own Garden of Eden.
CASA VALENTINA is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award.
Under the direction of Joe Mantello, the play benefits from superb acting, with each male character creating a strongly individual, convincing female self. Westrate's tough Gloria, Birney's careerist Charlotte and Ebert's awkward Miranda are all particularly vivid. 'Casa Valentina' is very uneven, with abrupt changes in mood, action and attitude. But its illumination of a neglected corner of human activity is diverting, and often thought-provoking.
While the play is heart-felt and enjoyable, it doesn't feel quite finished, and it ends on a rash and depressing note. Since this is the world premiere production, one hopes that Fierstein can continue to develop it. And given his experience in drag performance, maybe he can even join the cast of a future production.
2014 | Broadway |
Manhattan Theatre Club Production Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | Reed Birney |
2014 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Reed Birney |
2014 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Gabriel Ebert |
2014 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play | Casa Valentina |
2014 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Mare Winningham |
2014 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Play | Casa Valentina |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Play | Rita Ryack |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play | Reed Birney |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play | Mare Winningham |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Play | Harvey Fierstein |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Play | Manhattan Theatre Club |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Play | Lynne Meadow |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Play | Barry Grove |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Play | Colin Callender |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Play | Robert Cole |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Play | Frederick Zollo |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Play | The Shubert Organization |
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