Robert Patrick
Winner of Robert Chesley Lifetime Award for Gay Playwrighting, and author of
“Temple Slave,” the only book about the origins of gay theatre by a participant.
- Bread Alone
In a tiny trailer house in the isolated temporary mining-town of Mammoth Foot, Montana, sophisticated schoolteacher Daryl only means to give bright student Gary dinner and sympathy. But Gary wants love, and adroitly overcomes Daryl’s defenses to get his own sweet way.
One-Act: 1 hour
2M: 17 and 20s
- Hollywood at Sunset
Penn is an ambitious, closeted L.A. TV writer who lives in movie memories. His devoted lover, Aaron, wants a more open and abundant life. They quarrel endlessly and wittily, break up and get back together, but it looks as if the strife will last as long as their love — forever.
Copies avaialble from Drama Book Shop.
One-Act: 1 hr. 30 min. in three scenes
2M: mid-to-late 20s
- The Idol
Opening night of The Idol, the greatest gay disco ever, in 1976. Bob, a “leftover hippie” in his 40s, introduces new-boy-in-town Claude (20s) to Charles (30s) the disco’s designer. Charles used to believe in Bob’s “peace and love” philosophy, but now he’s a plaid-shirted, mustached “macho man.” Charles intimidates innocent Claude into stripping and offering himself to the men having sex on the upper floor. (alternate 70s play for “Untold Decades” below)
One-Act: 20 min.
3M: 20s, 30s, 40s
- Let Me Not Mar that Perfect Dream
Backstage at a Gay Plays festival, famous screenwriter Jonas (60s) and pioneer gay playwright Raeburn (40s) struggle for the soul of frightened Carroll (20s). Should young Carroll produce a gay play to please Raeburn, or change one character to a girl and let Jonas produce it on Broadway?
One-Act: 1 hour
3M: 20s, 40s, 60s
- Michelangelo’s Models
Michelangelo, 33, the most sought-after artist in Europe, must choose among three possible ways of life, represented by three beauties — a prince, a hustler, and a servant. Leonardo, Raphael, Pope Julius II, Simonetta de Vespucci (the model for “The Birth of Venus”) and other Renaissance greats appear.
Two-Act: 2 hours
9M: 20s-60s
1W of mysterious age
- Sit-Com
Businessmen lovers Ron and Doug want to be monogamous, but they both long for other men. Ron brings romantic hustler Ezra to their apartment, causing a chaotic evening of slamming doors and silly lies that brings out all the truths about their relationship. They settle into a secure permanent trio. (alternate 70s play for “Untold Decades” below)
One-Act: 30 min.
3M: 20s
- The Trial of Socrates
In the Golden Age of Athens, the Elders attempt to woo the youthful Alkibiades, the fairest of youths. They make assurances that this is a worthy Athenian tradition. However, Alkibiades is expecting Socrates, the great philosopher. The Elders expect a seduction, but even Alkibiades cannot break Socrates’ vow to love only spiritually. Disappointed, Alkibiades goes on a needless military expedition, ruining Athens. The Elders condemn Socrates for offending Eros, the god of sex, and destroying their city.
One-Act: 1 hour
5M: 1 teen, 4 40-or-older
chorus of Elders
- T Shirts
Greenwich Village roommates Marvin and Kink return unexpectedly to their shared flat. Marvin, 40, is a famous playwright. Kink, 30, is a skilled mechanic. They are joined by Tom, 20, a neighbor’s steady squeeze. Tom seeks an education about the wild 70s Manhattan gay life he’s been thrown into. Both men want Tom, and could get him, but friendship and neuroses interfere.
One-Act: 1 hr. 30 min.
3M: 20, 30, 40
- Untold Decades
Seven one-act plays of private gay male life in America from the 1920s through the 1980s. Can be mounted separately or in any combination.
Includes:
- One of Those People (1920s)
A world-famed sophisticated playwright revisits his Midwest home town and encounters an ambitious young man. On a balcony the older man teaches the younger the kind of strength and courage it takes to be gay.
One-Act: 20 min.
2M: 20, 40
- The River Jordan (1930s)
In a low dive in Depression, Texas, two unfeeling, predatory men lose a straight hustler to a more compassionate friend, who finds that although he can possess the boy, the boy can never return his love.
Three scenes: 20 min.
4M: 20s-30s
- Bill Batchelor Road (1940s)
In World War II in rural California, schoolteacher Bill and State Patrolmen Bob have played host to hundreds of horny servicemen on their way to the South Pacific. The preacher father of one boy arrives and gets the same tender treatment his son got.
One-Act: 30 min.
3M: 30s-40s
- Odd Number (1950s)
In an obscure New Mexican town, Airman Brad and town-boy Edgar have fallen in love after a weekend of sex — first love for both of them. Captain Curtis, a closeted Yalie, finds them out, and from envy and lust draws all three of them into an ugly web of paranoia.
One-Act: 30 min.
3M: 17-20s
- Fog (1960s)
In a freak, thick fog in New York’s Central Park, Stud and Fag encounter one another. Stud, weary of being loved for his good looks, pretends to be a skinny fag. Fag, longing to be loved, pretends to be a beautiful stud. But Fag secretly knows who he’s trapped, and cruelly convinces Stud he’s “loved for his mind” to get him into the bushes.
One-Act: 30 min.
2M: 20s
- Fairy Tale (1970s)
Backstage at Amos’s first solo concert, his former partner and lover, Sphinx, returns, wanting to get back together personally and professionally. Amos rejects him. Sphinx ended their boyhood romance by leaving with a movie director. But Sphinx forces Amos to accept the complexities and contradictions of adult love.
One-Act: 20 min.
3M: 20s (See also “The Idol” and “Sit-Com,” alternative 70s plays.)
- Pouf Positive (80s)
In a Manhattan flat across the street from the former famous sex-bar, the International Stud, gallant Robin faces inevitable death from AIDS. His former lover phones and wants to be sad and sentimental, but Robin insists on dying as he has lived, with wit and courage.
One-Act; 20 min.
1M: mature
- One of Those People (1920s)
