“Steven’s one-man show is a combination of an incredibly emotional and heart-wrenching story, a powerfully written and nuanced script, and a knock-it-out-of-the-ballpark performance. Confronting the ‘demons’ within, and seemingly around him, and ending up such an inspiring example of true self-respect and authenticity left me deeply touched and equally inspired.”
— Judith Light, actress and activist
"Being a gay recovering Southern Baptist, Steven Fales’s tale of his journey to self-acceptance made me want to jump up in the theatre and holler "Amen"! I have seen Confessions of a Mormon Boy several times and have brought friends who were considering doing one-person shows to show them an example of how multi-layered a solo piece like his can be. Mr. Fales is a master at his craft. His work is timely and of utmost importance in these days of religious-based intolerance."
— Leslie Jordan, My Walk Down the Pink Carpet, Emmy-winner for Will & Grace, Sordid Lives
"My only regret is that I came so late to this experience. It was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful -- the best gay coming-of-age, grappling-with-being piece I've seen since Dan Butler's, and you know there have been a thousand of them ever since his. It's really good. This needs to be filmed."
— Bruce Vilanch, Comedy Legend
"Steven Fales has captured the essence of the gay soul. The show had to be extended at the Coast Theatre in West Hollywood and was used as a fundraising vehicle for charity. Confessions of a Mormon Boy made me wince with emotional pain of my own coming out, and then laugh joyously at the absurdity of the anxiety I felt.”
— John Duran, Mayor of West Hollywood
"When one can be so moved as to laugh till your jaw hurts, wince with a sorry recognition at the pain distorted religion can inflict, cheer with unashamed abandon at an enviable and inspiring bravery so rarely expressed in the face of certain banishment and ridicule, you know you have had a thrilling and emotionally fulfilling theatrical experience. Bravo, Steven Fales and his Mormon Boy!"
— Lucie Arnaz, Actress/Activist
“Steven is a man of passion and integrity and this radiates out of him as he lives his life as a man of faith. His past experiences, specifically as a Mormon Boy, excommunicated just for being honest to who he is, has motivated him to live honestly, using this experience to liberate him and in turn to liberate others. As an ex-Mormon myself, I congratulate Steven for his courage and have no hesitation in recommending him and his story. You won’t regret it!”
— Rev. Neil Thomas, Senior Pastor, Metropolitan Community Church, Los Angeles
“Confessions of a Mormon Boy is a riveting night of theatre. Grounded in the specifics of his own colorful life, it transcends personal revelation by inviting the audience to consider larger issues—the costs of authenticity in a rigid and stratified world. He is a playwright whose work displays great moral courage and daring.”
— Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
"Steven Fales has taken an archetypal journey through real crucifixion to real resurrection, andhe writes about it with great originality, wit, a searing and poignant nakedness, and a knowledge of redemption that will inspire all who come to his work. He is a writer to watch and to learn from."
— Andrew Harvey, author of Son of Man and Return of the Mother
"The last time I sat in what is now the SoHo Playhouse was in the late 1960s to see the very first performance of 'The Boys in the Band.' Forty years later I sat in almost the same seat to watch the opening night of 'Confessions of a Mormon Boy'--and the forty years became forty light years. If you are interested in human truth expressed with heartbreaking honesty--and great joy and pride--then you do not want to miss Steven Fales."
— Doric Wilson, Off-Broadway Director/Producer Legend
"All the accolades for your show are deserved and earned. It's a great theatre piece. It is smart and wise and funny and sad, and sometimes breathtaking in its honesty and compassion. It is universal in its themes while being particular in its details. The second time I saw 'Mormon Boy', I concentrated on the structure of the show and how you achieved the audience's trust. I was just as impressed as the first time I saw it. Thank you for bringing 'Mormon Boy' to Chicago. You have enriched us through your presence and your story. I hope the Windy City treated you well while you were here, and I hope you come back to bring us your next show. I look forward to watching you grow as an artist and as a human."
— Bill Greaves, Mayor Daley's liaison to the LGBT Communities in Chicago
O What A Beautiful Mormon!
Steven Fales mines his experience of being raised Mormon for all it's worth. With lots of laughs and pain, he took me on a roller coaster ride of memories, from the joys of being raised in a warm Salt Lake community with the TRUE church of Jesus Christ, through the nightmare of realizing.. you're a queer, then too Manhattan!
He has quite a story that everyone should hear. By the end it was very life affirming. It's great theatre. Plus you get to see his sexy body!
Emmett Foster
Emmett, A One Mormon Show (NY Public Theater)
So It's Come to This (NY Theater Workshop)
"Thank you for your generosity, your kindness, your enthusiasm, your spirit, and your tenacity...You and the show helped us re-energize Diversionary Theatre for our upcoming 20th Anniversary Year...breaking box office records...groups benefited from funds raised through your performances. Your active collaboration and participation in the promotion of the show was a wonder to behold. Your appearances at local bars and clubs, gay bingo, waving to the throngs from our convertible at San Diego Pride and then visiting the Pride Festival--and then greeting and thanking the audience each night after the show--left us marveling at your energy and endurance. You became part of the community and they embraced you. Best wishes for an incredible New York run."
— Dan Kirsch, Executive Director, Diversionary Theatre
"I view Steven Fales' skillfully generous, seasoned, and compassionate voice as a tremendously effective tool for advancing human rights. His work is making an extraordinary impact and is an important contribution to the LGBT movement."
— Frank Matheson, Former Chair, Equality Utah
"Steven Fales' compelling story is an excellent example of how spiritual abuse is inflicted on gay men and women by religious institutions in the 21st Century. That Fales's play rises above his hurt, pain, and anger and is generous to the church of his birth is an act of extraordinary humanity. Fales's courageous play speeks to all who are being marginalized by institutionalized bigotry. His Confessions of a Mormon Boy is an important contribution to the ongoing dialogue about the place of gay men and women in our churches, mosques, and synagogues."
— Andrew Brewer, Chairman, SoulforceNYC
"I was struck by the fact that it was an incredibly good story, and there was this ferocious honesty. It’s about people accepting for themselves and not blaming outside forces for things they’ve gotten themselves involved in. Ultimately, there’s a great joy to [the play]."
— Jack Hofsiss, Broadway Director, as quoted in The Miami Herald
"[Steven’s] play was a hit and played to 92% capacity for the four week run. It was quite a crowd pleaser and attracted a diverse audience – all of whom were enthralled by an inside story about the usually surreptitious Mormon church. Steven is a consummate professional and a terrific individual. He is an outstanding performer, producer, and writer and his moral character and personal integrity are beyond reproach"
— Ed Decker, Artistic Director, New Conservatory Theatre Center
"I’m delighted and excited by the possibility that your wonderful show may have the opportunity to transfer to New York City. I was incredibly impressed by your ability to keep your performance alive and penetrating throughout your almost three month run. You impacted all aspects of our audience base, young and old, matinee and evening, straight and gay. Our Box Office goals for your production were exceeded and the critical response was enthusiastic. I hope you will reach your dream and find investors who will make a commercial production possible. They will be backing a very fine and talented man with an important message."
— Arnold Mittelman, Producing Artistic Director, Coconut Grove Playhouse
"I can’t imagine how many one-man/one-woman shows I’ve seen during my 20 years of work in the theatre. Confessions of a Mormon Boy took me somewhere I never could have imagined. Steven Fales’ brutal honesty and Jack Hofsiss’ unflinching direction make a perfect marriage. Heartbreaking, funny, warm... and ALMOST unbelievable!!!"
— Richard-Jay Alexander, Broadway Director
"I teach an English course, 'Coming of Age in American Autobiography,' and had I known in advance how relevant this play would be to the rest of the autobiographies (by Benjamin Franklin, Frederick Douglass, Henry David Thoreau, Russell Baker, Annie Dillard, and Maxine Hong Kingston) I'd have required my students to attend... As a writer of autobiographical essays myself, I know how hard it is to get the material right--in self-characterization, tone, stance. I've read a number of Mormon autobiographies, as well; yours is among the best, and the only comic one I know of."
— Lynn Z. Bloom, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor, Aetna Chair of Writing, University of Connecticut
