#51: “Jeffrey” by Paul Rudnick
“Jeffrey” is the AIDS play that I didn’t know I was missing. Coming in just after gay Catholic plays, plays that deal with the AIDS epidemic are my favorite genre of drama. That sounds flippant; I should explain. I’ve devoured and analyzed “Angels in America,” “The Baltimore Waltz,” and “The Normal Heart.” I genuinely believe that plays should inform and reflect a society; that awareness is the first step toward change. But when I heard that Paul Rudnick had a play that tackled the issue, I had a difficult time taking it seriously.
That’s probably the biggest strength of this piece. ”Jeffrey” is shocking in it’s flamboyance and over-the-top fantastical elements. When the epidemic is brought into the mix, the tone shift is so stark and effective. At one point, I wrote in the margin, “Oh my god. How can this play be so out there and so poignant?” I think you should read it.
