Review
Confessions of a Mormon Boy
Soho Playhouse
February 25, 2006
VanLoan
vanloan@nyconstage.org
Any tale of discovering one's sexuality to be different from the "mainstream" is going to be fraught with various degrees of tension, anger, and self loathing. To discover and deal with one's homosexuality while coming from a deeply religious background is doubly difficult. The subject matter is not new; it has been used to heartbreaking effect in the film "Trembling before G_d" about Orthodox Jews.
Steven Fales was brought up to have an abiding love for Mormon scripture and its inherent beliefs. He had a picture perfect life in the Mormon culture (Brigham Young graduate, missionary work, religious wife and children).Yet as time goes by, cracks appear in the facade. He gradually realizes a same-sex attraction and tries to deal with it through Church channels (this provides the show with an amusing segment of alternative "therapies" he was suggested to use). This, of course, fails and he is excommunicated.
Mr. Fales begins the proverbial 'prodigy son' journey through the netherworld of gay sexuality eventually supporting himself (and a drug habit) as a hustler. He hits rock bottom (as in any 12 step journey) before he comes to a place of self-acceptance and love (this degree of self-acceptance is a minor late show surprise). The message is one of --you guessed it-tolerance and respect.
What makes Mr. Fales narrative a little different and a bit more powerful that other coming out stories is the sense of religious belief that infuses the tale. While Mr. Fales is no longer a practicing Mormon, one gets the feeling that his life is (and always was even at its nadir) one of a deep spirituality. In these "faith-based" times, it is quite moving that Mr. Fales has kept his despite being demonized for his sexual preference.
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