"With the arguable exception of the mother, the characters are tracts, mere mouthpieces for positions that are sympathetic and well intentioned but blandly sincere and devoid of specificity pertaining to character and circumstance."
I've heard this criticism leveled at works before and I'm always a little confused as to what the complaint is.
An entire generation of LGBT people were devastated by the AIDS epidemic in the last two decades of the 20th century. The ones that were "lucky enough" to survive were left with lifelong issues. This isn't a "tract," this is many, many people's experiences.
Over the past few years the entire LGBT community is grappling with the ramifications of marriage equality. I came out only ten years ago and never imagined that I'd have a husband or the possibility of children. Gay divorce is on the rise, same sex parenting is occurring on unprecedented levels. Kids are coming out during puberty. This is all very new. Again, this isn't a "tract," this is the experience of almost everyone I know.
I could see how parts of Mother & Sons feels like things we've seen before, a sort of Torch Song/The Normal Heart meets Next Fall, but I think the genius of this play is the seamless way it integrates both of these narratives. I guess it could be more "interesting," Tyne Daly could be a retired carnie and Bobby Steggert could be a mute, but I don't think that would ring true.
I really, really enjoyed this show. I felt for all the characters despite how much I despised some of their choices. This is a very, very good play and I'd seriously recommend that people go see it and not stay away because some ATC thought it was "a tract."
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