THE STORY: A group of congenial friends have restored several adjoining houses in one of New York’s more attractive neighborhoods, and plan to move in en masse—setting up a sort of urban commune. However, one of their number, a confirmed bachelor, has resolved to confront the others with the fact of his long-concealed homosexuality and to bring along his young male lover as a permanent addition to the group. Although his friends have always prided themselves on their tolerance and openmindedness, they are outraged, and the enclave itself is imperiled. But as, in the developing crisis, the particular nature of each other character is exposed and explored, it is evident that they are not above reproach themselves—and the ultimate lesson of the play is one of forbearance and understanding and the need for fairness in judging those whose lifestyle may diverge from the conventional.
By one of our theatre’s most admired and successful writers who brings wit and sophistication to its resourceful examination of the often touchy subject of homosexuality.
“Mr. Laurents writes in an attractively hard-edged style, with jokes cracking like ice in extra-dry martinis.” —The New York Times.
“Arthur Laurents has turned to the subject of homosexuals and society’s problem in accepting them in its conventional midst.” —New York Post.
