A relatable play about the struggle to be able to come out as gay and the worry of others perception. Well done.

In the 1980s, self-identifying as gay had wide-ranging, societal and familial, consequences.

In fewer than 20 pages, Rose strongly and subtly defines two characters who are similar, yet completely at odds. One seeks privacy, the other wants to hear validation of who he is. One is uncertain how others will see him, the other doesn't give a damn. Reading "Interview with Freddie Mercury" is like seeing two sides of the same coin, with a couple decades of life experience joining the two.

Rose crafts a smart, deeply human piece that subtly unfolds. Set in the late 80s when fears about AIDS were in high gear and most fear-mongers equated the epidemic to men sleeping with other men, a reporter, and fan of the iconic rock star, Freddie Mercury, awkwardly tries to coax Freddie, to reveal his sexual identity. Rose cleverly manipulates the audience’s understanding of the reporter’s real motives and beautifully captures not only the threat of the time period, the voice of Mercury, but the way older queers gently fostered their frightened younger counterparts.