The Temperamentals
Encyclopedia
The Temperamentals is a 2009 play by Jon Marans. It chronicles the founding of the Mattachine Society
, the first sustained LGBT
rights organization in the United States, and the love affair of two of its founding members, Harry Hay
(Thomas Jay Ryan
) and Rudi Gernreich
(Michael Urie
). The title is drawn from the early-20th Century usage of the word "temperamental" as slang for "homosexual". After premiering at The Barrow Group Studio Theater
in April 2009, the play began previews off-Broadway
at New World Stages
on February 18, 2010 and premiered February 28. Producers Darryl Roth and Stacy Shane announced that The Temperamentals would close May 30. "We began our wonderful journey in April 2009 and are very grateful for the awards, honors, nominations and recognition that we have received and are receiving the end of this theater season. We would like to leave on a high note."
gave The Temperamentals a good review, calling it an "eminently likable docudrama".
The Temperamentals received a Drama Desk Award
for Best Ensemble Cast. Michael Urie, who originated the role of Rudi Gernreich, received a Lucille Lortel Award
for Outstanding Lead Actor.
Mattachine Society
The Mattachine Society, founded in 1950, was one of the earliest homophile organizations in the United States, probably second only to Chicago’s Society for Human Rights . Harry Hay and a group of Los Angeles male friends formed the group to protect and improve the rights of homosexuals...
, the first sustained LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
rights organization in the United States, and the love affair of two of its founding members, Harry Hay
Harry Hay
Henry "Harry" Hay, Jr. was a labor advocate, teacher and early leader in the American LGBT rights movement. He is known for his roles in helping to found several gay organizations, including the Mattachine Society, the first sustained gay rights group in the United States.Hay was exposed early in...
(Thomas Jay Ryan
Thomas Jay Ryan
Thomas Jay Ryan is a veteran stage actor who also starred in the 1997 film Henry Fool.Ryan attended Carnegie Mellon University and has worked in such prestigious theaters as the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and the Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven...
) and Rudi Gernreich
Rudi Gernreich
Rudi Gernreich was a Austrian-born American fashion designer and gay activist.-Biography:Born in Vienna, Gernreich fled Austria at age 16 due to Nazism, and later migrated to the United States, settling in Los Angeles, California...
(Michael Urie
Michael Urie
Michael Lorenzo Urie is an American actor, television producer and director, best known for his portrayal of Marc St. James on the ABC dramedy series Ugly Betty.-Personal life:...
). The title is drawn from the early-20th Century usage of the word "temperamental" as slang for "homosexual". After premiering at The Barrow Group Studio Theater
The Barrow Group
The Barrow Group is a non-profit Off-Broadway Theatre Company, Acting School and Arts Center located in New York City. It was founded in 1986 by Lee Brock and Seth Barrish. The organization has received awards for its productions including a Drama Desk Award, a Lucille Lortel Awards, an OBIE...
in April 2009, the play began previews off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
at New World Stages
New World Stages
New World Stages, originally Dodger Stages, is an Off-Broadway venue. The architects were Beyer, Blinder, and Belle. The theatre designers were Sachs Morgan, and the interior designer was Klara Zieglerova.It is currently home to 6 shows:* Rent...
on February 18, 2010 and premiered February 28. Producers Darryl Roth and Stacy Shane announced that The Temperamentals would close May 30. "We began our wonderful journey in April 2009 and are very grateful for the awards, honors, nominations and recognition that we have received and are receiving the end of this theater season. We would like to leave on a high note."
Critical reception
The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
gave The Temperamentals a good review, calling it an "eminently likable docudrama".
The Temperamentals received a Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
for Best Ensemble Cast. Michael Urie, who originated the role of Rudi Gernreich, received a Lucille Lortel Award
Lucille Lortel Awards
The Lucille Lortel Awards recognize excellence in New York Off-Broadway theatre. The Awards are named for Lucille Lortel, an actress and theater producer, and have been awarded since 1986...
for Outstanding Lead Actor.