Harvey Fierstein Takes Us Inside His New Play, ‘Casa Valentina’
Harvey Fierstein, live in The Greene Space
The Greene Space’s Inside Look: Broadway series wrapped up Tuesday, March 11 with a peek behind the curtain of “Casa Valentina” – the first new play from Harvey Fierstein in nearly 30 years.
WQXR’s Elliott Forrest sat down with the four-time Tony Award winner to talk about the play, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello. It opens in previews April 1 at the Manhattan Theater Club. Fierstein joined us to talk about his career, the story behind his new play and why he was drawn to its subject – a first for Broadway audiences.
Set in 1962 in the Catskill Mountains and based on actual events, the play centers on a group of heterosexual men who gather in an inconspicuous bungalow colony to discreetly and safely dress and act as women.
“There’s this whole universe of heterosexual transvestite men who are faceless and voiceless, who we don’t understand,” he said. “I felt like…I can at least bring them out to an audience, have people see how very human they are, have people see their struggle, have people see this unbelievable joy.”
Watch the entire conversation below.
Please Note: This video contains strong opinions and adult language.