New Off-Broadway Play “Messy White Gays” Draws Mixed Reviews
A new satirical play, “Messy White Gays,” written by and starring comedian Drew Droege, opened yesterday at the Duke on 42nd Street, sparking conversation about contemporary gay male culture and its representation.
The play, inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rope,” centers on Brecken and Caden, who attempt to cover up a murder during a brunch gathering with friends. Set in a rapidly gentrifying Hell’s Kitchen – a neighborhood that, according to 2020 census data, is now 52.8% white – the production aims to satirize the insular world of affluent gay men. The play’s premise involves characters preoccupied with superficialities like designer items and celebrity opinions, with one character killed for simply “liking” Jean Smart rather than “loving” her.
While some audience members have praised the show as a hilarious and campy experience, with an 80% approval rating on Show-Score, critics note a lack of deeper interrogation of the privileges it attempts to lampoon. “Listen, anything gay/queer on stage; I’m here for it. I enjoyed the show. It was camp. It was cliché, but enjoyable,” said one Show-Score user, Mandy-Eliakim. The play’s exploration of identity politics has been described as conversational one-upping rather than insightful critique, a contrast to Mart Crowley’s “The Boys in the Band,” which offered a more thorough exploration of its characters’ anxieties. This production arrives at a time when discussions around inclusivity and representation within the LGBTQ+ community are increasingly prominent.
“Messy White Gays” features performances by James Cusati-Moyer, Aaron Jackson, Derek Chadwick, Pete Zias, and Droege himself. The production runs through January 11, and officials stated they will continue to monitor audience response and critical feedback throughout its run.
