I Was Better Last Night - Harvey Fierstein

Well, if anyone can tell a story - it is Harvey Fierstein. Like a lot of people near to me in age, I first discovered his work via the theatre. For me it was hearing about this stage piece named Torch Song Trilogy, and how it was the first gay show on Broadway. Now, that may not be true but pre-internet that is what I was told and what I believed. I read the script in college, and even directed a scene from it for a directing class...at a conservative Baptist school no less. When I had finished college I started working in theatre, was cast in a show and met this guy - Tim Lee. We became friends and he introduced me to a lot of the gay scene in the Twin Cities, most importantly the Unicorn Theatre, and the Gay 90's. The first show I saw at the Unicorn was a production of Cabaret - my first time seeing the stage production. It was up on the third floor in a very small thrust stage with a stunning performer named Tenee playing the MC. Tenee was a drag queen who used to sing in falsetto - like Sylvester, or Klaus Nomi. She was a black performer and played the MC in white face. It was a stunning production! After that I worked at the Unicorn for a number of years either performing, or merely attending. One year Tim decided to take on Torch Song Trilogy, and asked me to work sound in the booth. He also directed another Fierstein play named Safe Sex. This was, again, a trilogy of short plays all dealing with issues of safe sex and how to navigate the AIDS epidemic. 

As a gay man of a certain age, Fierstein has been in my life for a long time. Maybe unawares at first, but still on the edge. Torch Song Trilogy, then I was in a production of La Cage, plus all the film work he has done. Finally you have the Broadway work that he has done from his own shows to writing the book for La Cage, A Catered Affair, Casa Valentina, him playing in Hairspray and Fiddler on the Roof! What a life. So, why wouldn't you want to read his autobigraphy? I can't think of a single reason. He is a smart writer, funny, witty, and knows how to tell a story - especially the story of his own life. If you have a chance to read this book, you really should. A life growing up in New York, working in early New York theatre scene, writing, his struggles with addiction...it was a really great read.