MORMON BOY TRILOGY Review “Florida Agenda”
By Steven Fales | April 14, 2011
The Mormon Boy Trilogy – Gays and Mormons Can’t Get Enough of Each Other
Posted on 13 April 2011
By Warren Day
For the first time, before a planned opening off-Broadway this Fall, you can see the entire Mormon Boy Trilogy at the Rising Action Theater in Fort Lauderdale between now and April 24. And, on April 30 and May 1, one play in the trilogy will be at the Parliament House in Orlando.
It all seems to be a slice of a gay/Mormon fascination, beginning with the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Angels in America,” the very popular gay film “Latter Days,” the 2010 documentary “8: The Mormon Proposition” on how Mormons were mainly responsible for the anti-gay marriage amendment passing in California, and the just-opened and highly-acclaimed Broadway musical, “The Book of Mormon,” which one critic says contains the best gay song ever written. And that’s not to mention a caboodle of gay fiction in such books as “Mormon Underwear” (yes, they do have special underwear), “Ockham’s Razor” (I don’t think they have special razors), or “The Abominable Gayman” (that may be the ultimate fundamentalist gay book title).
Gays and Mormons seem to be locked in a dance, but not moving to the same beat or hearingthe same melody.
Steven Fales has been performing his popular one-man show, “Confessions of a Mormon Boy” since 2001 where, in ways both humorous and poignant, he describes his hard scrabble journey through the closet, excommunication, divorce, working as a prostitute and a crystal meth addiction. There’s certainly enough conflict and crisis to fill a trilogy.
While I correctly label these productions as one-man shows, don’t let that discourage you from seeing them, because Fales is an accomplished performer who knows how to hold an audience, and these plays are filled with recorded voices, sound effects, songs and costume changes (and sometimes with little or no costume). You do get to see that Mormon underwear.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (their official name) is a kind of ultimate high school clique, with its own secret handshake, its DeMolay-like rituals, its low tolerance for any deviation from clique approved behavior, its dress codes, and the “we-belong-and-you-don’t” attitude. And just like cliques in high school, we find ourselves both repelled and attracted.
Part of the fascination is that Fales takes you inside where non-Mormons were never intended to go, to learn of the secret rituals and customs, although secret ceremonies seldom turn out to be as fascinating once the veil is pulled away.
“Confessions of a Mormon Boy,” the most polished of the plays, lays out Fales’ dilemma as a sixth-generation Mormon facing a choice between being honest (and thereby cast into eternal hell by his church) or being a hypocrite (and thereby seen as a poster boy for the straight and narrow).
“Missionary Positions” is a prequel to “Confessions,” dealing with his two years as a missionary in Portugal, where he struggles more with Mormonism than his sexuality, and also where he takes you inside a secret Temple ceremony, wearing his skimpy Temple garb.
In “Who’s Your Daddy,” the boy is now grown and struggling with his relationship to his straight father, and also in a battle for custody rights with his two children. It is definitely a work-in-progress, but Fales considers it the most emotionally moving of his plays.
The three plays do stand on their own, and can be enjoyed individually.
You may not be Mormon – or even religious, but there’s much in these evenings that will hit home for anyone in the GLBT community, or for those who’ve ever had to straddle two misunderstood minority groups. It is a cautionary tale of a man who often blamed others for the mistakes that were usually of his own making.
As Fales says, being a gay Mormon makes you a kind of ‘oxymormon,’ but it also grants you some hard won insight for coming to terms with who you are, no matter how big or wide the obstacles might be. The fact that he does it with so much humor and the fact that we can receive it with so much laughter shows how far he, and we, have come.
The trilogy plays until April 24 at the Rising Action Theatre, located at Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW 9th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315.
Tickets are $35 for each, or $75 for all three.
For show times for the plays, and to purchase tickets, go to www.risingactiontheatre.com.
Or you can call 1-800-595-4849 or 954-561-2225.
On April 30 and May 1, “Confessions” will be performed at the Parliament House in Orlando.
Topics: Missionary Position, Mormon Boy Trilogy, Steven Fales | No Comments »
Book Review of “Confessions of a Mormon Boy”
By Steven Fales | April 13, 2011
www.reviewsbyamoslassen.com
“Confessions of a Mormon Boy”–Painful and Important
admin ♦ March 11, 2011 ♦ Leave Your Comment
Fales, Steven, “Confessions of a Mormon Boy”. Alyson, 2006
Painful and Important
Amos Lassen
I must admit that I know very little about the Church of the Latter Day saints and the Mormon religion. What I do know has been gleaned from movies like “Latter Days” and drama like “Angels in America” so when I received this book from Alyson Books, I opened it with the hope of learning something and learn I did. “Confessions of A Mormon Boy” is a true look at the way Mormons treat gays, especially their own. Based upon Steven Fales’ one man show, it gives insight of what gay Mormons experience and the intolerance they are dealt.
This book gives you a chance to experience what Fales fell as he fell from grace, experienced excommunication from his church and succumbed to a life of drugs and random sex. He created quite a to-do with his one show when he debuted it in Salt Lake City, the headquarter city of the church that had excommunicated him only a year previously because he is gay. In the show he nonjudgementally he told of events that led up to his censure and eviction form the church. He tells of leaving his wife and two childe and tried to become an actor in New York but instead became a male escort in order to make ends meet. He began to take drugs to ward ff the depression he felt from the road that his life has taken.
As years passed the show gradually changed with them and in “Confessions of a Mormon Boy” we have two scripts-the Utah version, the more Mormon oriented and the newer one that he is currently performing off-Broadway. We also get photographs and a copy of the excommunication from his church as well as Fales’ personal observations on how the play his helped him heal.
Fales shows us the inaccuracies in the film “Latter Days” and surprisingly, even though his church would not accept him, he found friendship and empathy among some of its members and, in fact, some of the leaders of the church backed his play finically He gives hope to other gay Mormons by including resources they can use to deal with their homosexuality.
This is an extremely personal book and Fales s critical of himself and his religion I found this book to be both easy and hard to read. It is easy because it is short and entertaining and when I sat down to read it I did not stop until I was finished. It is hard because there is a lot of pain in this book
As Fales relates his fall from grace, my heart went out to both him and the Church of Latter Day Saints. I felt his pain and I identified with it. I did not feel anything but remorse for his church that was quick to rid itself of a human life. I do not know if I can call this book an enjoyable read but I can certainly say it is an important and educating read. The transformation of Fales from a husband and father to a drug using prostitute ht really hard and I wonder why there is no compromise. However with the Mormons we are not allowed to argue doctrine. It is hard to believe that we are discounted so easily.
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Audience Response After THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY — Florida
By Steven Fales | April 13, 2011
And then you’ll get an email from an audience member who reminds you why you are putting it all on the line. Let my story be a cautionary tale as well as an elixir for personal transformation in others. I’m not perfect, but together, we are making progress.
Hi Steven,
I wanted to send you a note after seeing all three of your performances this past Saturday at Rising Action in Fort Lauderdale. I happened to hear about your show by accident and after seeing “Confessions” I had to come back to see the other two. I’m glad I did (not only because I think you are a talented perfomer, but your stories were authentic and from the heart).
I’ve been thinking about the shows for the past couple of days and wanted to let you know how profound the messages were for me personally. I know you must get all kinds of notes telling you how these shows have touched people – well, here’s one more.
I’ve been around the theatre (both onstage and in the audience) for as long as I can remember – but something magical happened Saturday night watching your masterful performances. For the first time, I felt like I had permission – for what, I’m not quite sure yet (perhaps it is to smile as you eloquently demonstrated). I think there must be a healthy way to explore my life (including my sexuality) without going down a destructive path – again, I’m not quite sure what that is or how to do it. But at least I feel like I can. I am beginning to have a new sense of self and at some point, I hope that I can have the courage to share whatever that is with my family, friends, and hopefully a soul mate.
I’m not an eloquent writer or speaker, but I feel as if you, a total stranger, has given me permission to metaphorically write my own story by experiencing and learning from yours. I don’t expect you to feel like you have to respond to this – I just wanted to know what kind of an impression you’ve made on me. Thank you again for sharing your talents and your story. I’ll wear my “I heart mormon boys” shirt proudly as it is a reminder of my own journey. Perhaps our paths will cross again while you’re here in South Florida- but if they don’t, I wish you the very best.
With deep gratitude,
Name Withheld
This fella is in his 30′s. I left out much of the email as he very personally shared his story. What I have learned is that we all have a story. Thanks for coming to hear mine. I hope it helps you tell yours. Performance artist Tim Miller once told me to tell my story when I saw his show in Salt Lake City in 2000. Well, I took his admonition to heart.
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Phoenix Fringe “Confessions” Review
By Steven Fales | April 12, 2011
PHX:fringe Opening Weekend: Confessions of a Mormon Boy and Schreibstück
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| courtesy of Steven Fales |
| Missionary position: Steven Fales (Confessions of a Mormon Boy) tried hard to keep those good Catholics in Portugal from going to Hell. |
In our world of choreographed flash mobs and revolution-by-Twitter, it may seem odd that an arts festival takes time to grow and develop over the years. But it does. Ideas lead to plans lead to experience leads to word of mouth, which generates new plans and experiences, until something reaches a tipping point of rabid festivity and renowned cool.
PHX:fringe Festival is in its fourth year, and performers from out of state, let alone other nations, are still in a minority. Relatively easy-to-tour solo shows predominate, and I would say too many acts have ASU ties, except that’s often a wonderful thing. (Not always.)
But the schedule is filling out nicely, and the number of participating venues is gradually increasing. Tipping point, here we come.
In its current incarnation, PHX:fringe runs two weekends. At this midpoint between them in the schedule, some shows have already closed (as planned), some open in a few days, and some got their feet wet the first weekend and continue through the second one. It’s a fun little logistical game for the theatergoer, and an intricate yet messy dance for the staff.
On Friday’s official opening night, PHX:fringe producing artistic director Patrick Demers appeared to be giving as many gung-ho curtain speeches as possible. (We didn’t see his Segway in the lobby of the Third Street Theatre, but one would have come in handy.) Before the performance of Steven Fales’ Confessions of a Mormon Boy, he welcomed the crowd, urged us to see more Fringe shows, and guaranteed that some of them will be “mediocre.” Which felt kind of savvy in its candor. (And yes, we’ll explore mediocrity later in the week.)
Although Mormon Boy, finally reaching our Valley, was presented for only two days, Demers hopes that Fales will return to PHX:fringe in subsequent years and share its sequels (of which there are already two) with us, so this mini-review might help you get psyched for your next opportunity. Personally, I am in favor of any trilogy that lets us look at posters like these, and although Fales is no spring chicken any more, he still looks damn good live in underwear.
A true story told by a gay ex-Mormon ex-prostitute ex-addict, Mormon Boy is engaging, rich in detail, and upbeat in theme. Occasionally funny, generally entertaining, and often relate-able, it seems to resonate particularly with its communities: the excommunicated, the currently or previously closeted, loving parents in “alternative” lifestyles — those who’ve tried to live life abundantly and with grace while denying their very identity. I didn’t need to weep and touch Fales’ hand after the show, but having both grown up in Mesa and earned a theater degree, I believe I understand those who did.
If you’re prone to do mental math after someone shares his life story, you might come to the conclusion that Fales had to conflate, compress, substitute, and make some things up to get his message across clearly (with which I have no problem, and for which he more than makes up with blasts of searing honesty, some supported by audio recordings — “Mormons record everything,” says Sales, a former BYU Young Ambassador and choir leader who’s just full of music — of moments that obviously still affect him greatly).
Fales admits in his blog that he’s ready to go on to being more than Mormon Boy. Toward the end of this first of the series’ three parts, he reaches a post-9/11 encounter-group epiphany , facilitated by something that sounds a lot like the Forum (which is fine if it helped him). I’m happy for Sales (as well as grateful, as an audience member who has access to unlimited straight male kvetching) that he’s come to terms with his responsibility for his own choices, rough though the road has been. His Confessions are fascinating, inspiring, and mind-expanding, even without the E and G.
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A Closer Look at Steven Fales’ Mormon Boy Trilogy
By Steven Fales | April 10, 2011
From South Florida Gay News
A Closer Look at Steven Fales’ Mormon Boy Trilogy
Tuesday, 05 April 2011 11:24
Written by J.W. Arnold
After Steven Fales left the Mormon Church and came out, he had a lot to get off his chest. Confessions of a Mormon Boy, a critically acclaimed one-man play was the result. But, there was much more to Fales’ story and he’s telling all at Fort Lauderdale’s Rising Action Theatre.
In addition to Confessions, Fales will be performing two other plays in rotation: Missionary Position, which he describes as a prequel that chronicles his experiences as a young Mormon missionary, and Who’s Your Daddy? the world premiere of a play detailing his legal fight in Utah for shared custody of his children.
“People couldn’t believe there was so much more material,” explains Fales, when asked if the three plays could have been consolidated into one work. “My Mormon missionary experiences really are a whole play in themselves.”
Fales goes on to describe some of the material in Missionary Position as dangerous: “I include the temple ceremony in the play where I relive what I call the ‘Rocky Mormon Picture Show’. That’s where we take on all these oaths and death penalties to never reveal the secrets we learn, mostly about life in the afterworld, but I do it with class and humor.”
While shows like “The Book of Mormon,” from the creators of “South Park,” which recently opened on Broadway, take plenty of cheap potshots at the Mormon Church, Fales’ plays are the only serious gay Mormon theater currently being produced.
“While I think ‘The Book of Mormon’ is delicious, what I’m offering is a true Mormon story that has the weight of reality theater,” he says. “Of course, there’s full frontal nudity, too, for Rising Action,” referring to “Missionary Position.
The South Florida run will serve as an out-of-town workshop for Daddy, which Fales says is the most heartfelt play of the trilogy.
Audiences respond in different ways to Fales’ story, he says.
“I just finished playing Phoenix and they were just in tears. I find the more west I go, the more it appeals to the emotions and the more east, the more the ideas sparkle. It’s cerebral, heartfelt and funny. I pretty much deal with almost every possible theme a gay man could be facing at this time in our country, and that’s partly why it takes three shows to cover the material.”
He adds: “There’s an ending (to ‘Daddy’) that wraps things up in a beautiful way.”
The 30-something writer and actor plans to close the book on his Mormon trilogy, turning to new directions.
“In a way, this trilogy was about a Mormon boy learning to be human and a boy becoming a man. This whole project will put an end to the ‘Mormon Boy’ phase of my career.
He’ll continue to perform the plays, but wants to focus on stories of the Mountain West and comedy. For several years, he has simultaneously performed a stand-up comedy act, “When All Else Fales.” He’ll also continue commuting between New York City and Los Angeles, with monthly stops in Salt Lake City to spend time with his two children, 13 and 15.
The Mormon Boy Trilogy (in repertory)
Thurs., April 7 – Sun., April 24
Thur. and Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 3 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m., Sun. 5 p.m., 7 p.m.
Rising Action Theatre, Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW 9th Ave., Fort Lauderdale
Tickets $35 at RisingActionTheatre.com or call 800-595-4849
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Gamofite for Daddy
By Steven Fales | April 10, 2011
When I came out of the closet, the one group that supported me the most was Gamofites. Gay Mormon Fathers. On a retreat in Maryland in 2002 I met one of my dearest Gamofite friends. He’s a counselor. And here’s what he says about WHO’S YOUR DADDY?
Hi, Steven,
First of all THANK YOU for thinking of me to review your play WHO’S YOUR DADDY? I’m sorry it’s taken a few days to get back to you. I had to read it in stages because it was very moving and scary and so, so real. Here is my take on what you’ve written: BRAVO. Really, Steven, I’m not just blowing some smoke up your ass. I was really amazed at your honesty and I think it makes for a great show. As I was reading it, I pictured you performing on stage. I can only imagine the pain you will bring to each performance. The story is captivating, compelling, upsetting. I get enraged when I think about what men have had to do to be in their kids’ lives.
You asked me to read it and give you my impression as a father: I think it was a story that HAD to be told. And I think your children will be proud to hear about your struggles. I was impressed that you didn’t go overboard on E. and C. I know you could have. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through all this. Loved the parts about your grandfather and his Greek father. And the end w/G. is awesome. It is very powerful, Steven, and I am so glad that you wrote this piece. I’m sure it is what you ultimately needed to write for your journey of healing. I hope I get to see this part of the trilogy! I’m proud of you.
Sending love,
M.R.
Topics: Bi Parents, Gay Dads, Gay Fathers, Gay Parents, Who's Your Daddy? | No Comments »
On My Way
By Steven Fales | April 6, 2011
I am on my way from New York City to Ft. Lauderdale to do THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY. After all the preparation (and fear and elation), I’m finally doing it. I’m horrified at not only the diffuculty of the task of doing three shows back to back, but at what it costs me putting my life on the line. There is so much at stake. There is great risk here emotionally, but I have seen the rewards of artistic risks before. I can trust this process. And God is watching over me as I get to point A to point B. I am hoping more stability comes on the other side of this mammoth undertaking. I will ask for help along the way. I can’t do this all myself.
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By the Time I Get to Phoenix — Wait, I’m here!
By Steven Fales | April 1, 2011
Do you know how many email requests I have received to come do CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY? Mostly from Mesa, the Bastian of Mormon Conservative thought outside of Provo. Mesa is always trying to out-do Provo, Utah.
Well, I’m here! And I love it. It is snowing on the East Coast today. But the sun is amazing this morning. I’m in a hurry to iron my costumes. But I want to let folks know that my point of view will be on stage tonight at the Third Street Theatre as part of the Fourth Annual Phoenix Phringe Festival. Come see how I discovered I wasn’t a “victim”! I love doing this show because I always need to be reminded that I am not a victim.
Tonight at 8:30pm. Tomorrow at 2:00pm and 8:30pm. See you there! (Check local listings for address and tickets. Or go to the Phoenix Fringe Web site.)
(I had ancestors settle Showlo or Sholo or whatever it’s called here in Arizona. A town in a Mormon belt/enclave. And my kids ancestors settled Mesa. I’ve been to the statue across from the temple! which looks like a Free Mason Temple from the outside!)
Topics: Steven Fales | 6 Comments »
Dr. Dean Byrd
By Steven Fales | March 27, 2011
I once had a few “reparative therapy” sessions with Dean Byrd. It was toward the end of my marriage. After all the therapy with Dr. Nicolosi. My then wife and I had a session together. He said, “If I could lower your I.Q. and her emotional I.Q. by ten points I could save this marriage.” Well, we will never know, will we.
When I first contacted Mr. Dr. Br. Byrd I was desperate to keep my family together. I was at excommunication’s door. He told me how he had men flying to him from Hong Kong to work with him. But he didn’t have time in his schedule for me. But he was intrigued because I was Carol Lynn Pearson’s son-in-law. You see, he had personally worked with Gerald Pearson back in the 70′s when they all lived in Provo, Utah. They worked together helping the “hippie” drug addict Mormon youth. Gerald wrote a self-published book called, “There Is a Way Back.”
When Dean Byrd first met me he said, “I’m terrified at how much you remind me of Gerald.” It wasn’t a compliment. Was it my intensity? Was it my wanting to do the right thing? Was it my desperation? Was it my light? Was it my dark? What was it? But the look on Dean’s face made me seriously think he had just seen a ghost.
Dean Byrd was afraid I would be excommunicated and that this would not be good. He said to have my Stake President call him before my Church Court. This request fell through the cracks in the complete morass and malaise of life pre-trial. Did Dr. Byrd think he could prevent my excommunication with a call from him as the Church’s foremost expert on “change”? We will never know, will we. What we do know is that they excommunicate in Sandy, Utah and NOT in Walnut Creek, California. I believe it was my destiny to become a heretic. The apostate will never know the freedom (or the cost) of being a heretic. And the authority it brings to challenge spiritual abuse and violence. I am a veteran of spiritual gay genocide.
There is more I could say . . . about the mixed emotions and sessions. The failed attempt. The hope. The doom of the marriage. The doom of my church membership. But here is something for me to ponder. Almost a year after my life blew up, my ex-wife Emily gave him my address in New York. He sent me a lovely card hoping I was alright. I never responded. But it was kindness he showed. To the son-in-law of an old colleague. Gerald.
I will write more about Dean Byrd in the future. He wrote a scathing review about Carol Lynn’s last book (or was it her last play). Of course he did because of his position as the “guru” of ex-gays in the Church. Or one of them. But I don’t think it was fair for him to review a poet or playwright as a therapist and academic. She is not really an activist or a professional clinician and she isn’t gay. It was simply her artistic contribution. She is coming at this gay-thing second hand. He should be more forgiving.
I’m just bringing this up because these are the weighty wrinkles in my story that don’t always have time to go in a 90-minute play. But they are historically significant, I believe. As we continue to all do our part to live out the pages of the gay liberation movement.
Topics: Steven Fales | 1 Comment »
I Love Lacrosse
By Steven Fales | March 27, 2011
I’ve just been converted. To lacrosse. I just saw my first lacrosse game ever last Friday, curtesy of my son. I am hooked. I want my own stick! I was told by the moms volunteering, “Just surrender now. You’ll be one of those dad’s who will be at games with their own stick.” Cool!
I was genuinely thrilled watching the game. It’s so active, athletic, fun, and dangerous. But it is also so elegant. Skill and grit necessary at the same time. Seeing them throw the ball with the stick. It’s like soccer and rugby and hockey all at once. So imaginative.
The best part was seeing my son. The tallest on the Sophomore team. Number “47″. (I hope that doesn’t blow his anonymity!). He was AWESOME! I took a lot of pictures. (My mom starts coming out in me. She is the one always taking pictures ad infinitum or is that ad nauseum.) My son traded in all the soccer and basketball and fencing into a sport that seems to suit him the very best. I can’t wait to see him in another game and to watch him progress as an athlete. Watching him up close with his team and cool coach was so neat. Once I heard the coach chastise his young men, “If that referee says something you don’t like, I want you to shut up. I want this team to have respect and class!” Wow. Not only did the coach lead his team to victory (they cremated the other team!), but he is teaching them to be good sports.
The moms there told me a funny parent saying regarding the game. “If I would have known my son would have liked getting beaten by sticks, I would have started years ago!”
I met the coach after the game. He was so cool to me. Gave me an intro to the team, “We’ve got a New Yorker here!” He called my son after the game and I guess the coach was impressed I was there. My son is in good hands. I’m so impressed with the public schools in Utah! As I was leaving the game the coach said to me, “Doesn’t your son just love the sport?” I said, “He really does!” Then he said, “Yeah. I’ll bet he sleeps with his stick!”
I didn’t quite know what to say. “Yes, he probably does. Didn’t we all.” I’m off to buy “Lacrosse for Dummies”!
(P.S. I got to Utah twice in March for my daughter’s musical theatre performances, my son’s lacrosse and the monthly therapy visit. I think we are making really good progress. There were some magical moments of connecting, affinity . . . love. My kids are the best thing in my life.)
(P.P.S. I’m back in Vegas today. But I fly to NYC tonight for a few days of rehearsal with my director for DADDY. Then Phoenix next weekend. Then Ft. Lauderdale the next. I have so much to do and memorize. I need all the sobriety I can get right now. No cell phone working. My laptop is down (I’m writing from my friend’s computer.) There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Some terrific performing ahead. But I have a little cough. I worried about my energy level. But with the sleep I got last night, I’ll be okay. Congrats to THE BOOK OF MORMON musical on Broadway. A rave in the New York Times. Good, job! I can’t wait to see it!)
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