Diva/Mensch pair for Aug 12, 2026

Once again we're at Best Play. The 1983 Tony went to Torch Song Trilogy, a Diva of a play written by and starring Harvey Fierstein. It wasn't the first time a drag queen was seen on Broadway but it was the first time she won Best Play! And Best Actor.

One of the other nominees was Marsha Norman's searing two-person play 'night Mother. About a woman saying goodbye to her mother so she can commit suicide at the end of the night. Mensch with a capital M.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQxrsEtr3bg

I couldn't find any footage of the original Broadway production of 'night Mother but found this interview with Kathy Bates on the set of the play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgPb-ohtgI8