The Gentleman Caller

by Philip Dawkins

Although now regarded as two of history's finest American playwrights, back in 1944, William Inge and Tennessee Williams had yet to experience anything close to success. Before the Chicago premiere of The Glass Menagerie, Inge, a dissatisfied newspaper critic, invites Williams to his St. Louis apartment for an interview. This fraught, sexy rendezvous sparks a relationship which radically alters the course of...

Although now regarded as two of history's finest American playwrights, back in 1944, William Inge and Tennessee Williams had yet to experience anything close to success. Before the Chicago premiere of The Glass Menagerie, Inge, a dissatisfied newspaper critic, invites Williams to his St. Louis apartment for an interview. This fraught, sexy rendezvous sparks a relationship which radically alters the course of their lives and the American Theatre.

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The Gentleman Caller

Recommended by

  • Daniel Smith: The Gentleman Caller

    I recently saw a beautiful production of this play featuring MFA acting students at Michigan State University! A wonderful, imaginative slice of LGBTQ theatre history featuring dramatically and sexually charged conversations between a buttoned-up (Apollonian?) William Inge and a larger-than-life (Dionysian?) Tennessee Williams. References to the characters' work abound, with Williams narrating in the style of Tom from "The Glass Menagerie" throughout and playing a version of Brick from "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in Act II.

    I recently saw a beautiful production of this play featuring MFA acting students at Michigan State University! A wonderful, imaginative slice of LGBTQ theatre history featuring dramatically and sexually charged conversations between a buttoned-up (Apollonian?) William Inge and a larger-than-life (Dionysian?) Tennessee Williams. References to the characters' work abound, with Williams narrating in the style of Tom from "The Glass Menagerie" throughout and playing a version of Brick from "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in Act II.

  • Shaun Leisher: The Gentleman Caller

    A brilliantly researched piece of fiction between two giants of the stage. The conversations being had about identity, art and hero worship are just as vital today as they were in 1944. A play that feels so classic and in the voices of these two writers while being so current. This is a play that needs to be studied. The tension and what is said when no dialogue occurs is electric. A gift for actors and audiences.

    A brilliantly researched piece of fiction between two giants of the stage. The conversations being had about identity, art and hero worship are just as vital today as they were in 1944. A play that feels so classic and in the voices of these two writers while being so current. This is a play that needs to be studied. The tension and what is said when no dialogue occurs is electric. A gift for actors and audiences.

  • Nick Malakhow: The Gentleman Caller

    Brilliant historical fiction with a theatricality that owes much to Williams' voice and work. Dawkins' dialogue is full of acerbic wit/hilarity, hidden (and sometimes not so hidden) pain, and profound truths. His interpretation of Inge and Williams feels both mythical and intensely human. Dawkins examines several aspects of the gay male experience--shame, loneliness, fellowship, alienation, and constant searching--and seamlessly connects those historical realities and truths to queer culture today. I was particularly taken in by Bill's description of "feeling seen" after finally watching "The...

    Brilliant historical fiction with a theatricality that owes much to Williams' voice and work. Dawkins' dialogue is full of acerbic wit/hilarity, hidden (and sometimes not so hidden) pain, and profound truths. His interpretation of Inge and Williams feels both mythical and intensely human. Dawkins examines several aspects of the gay male experience--shame, loneliness, fellowship, alienation, and constant searching--and seamlessly connects those historical realities and truths to queer culture today. I was particularly taken in by Bill's description of "feeling seen" after finally watching "The Glass Menagerie," and the profound conversations about the purpose and role of queer art.

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Development History

  • Type Commission, Organization Raven Theater, Year 2018

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization New Conservatory Theater Collective, Year 2019
  • Type Professional, Organization Raven Theater, Year 2018