Terrence McNally Criticism
Terrence McNally's Love! Valour! Compassion! is a seminal play that explores themes of love, friendship, and the complexities of gay life in America. Set over three holiday weekends at a summerhouse in upstate New York, the play presents eight male characters who narrate their experiences, dealing with relationships and the impact of the AIDS epidemic. The narrative structure allows for a multifaceted exploration of the characters’ lives, offering insights into their personal and collective struggles. McNally's work is often compared to Mart Crowley's The Boys in the Band and the plays of Thornton Wilder, Eugene O'Neill, and Anton Chekhov, highlighting its place in the canon of significant American theater.
The play has been critically acclaimed, receiving numerous awards including the Tony Award for Best Play and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play. Critics have praised its groundbreaking portrayal of gay life, although some, like John Simon, argue that it relies too heavily on sexual humor. However, others, such as David Kaufman, commend McNally for dispelling myths about gay lifestyles by portraying a community rich in love, courage, and compassion. This duality of perspectives is further emphasized in reviews by Nancy Franklin and Frank Scheck, who acknowledge both the play’s narrative strengths and structural critiques.
Contents
- Principal Works
- McNally, Terrence (Vol. 4)
- McNally, Terrence (Vol. 7)
-
McNally, Terrence (Vol. 91)
-
Saucy! Schmaltzy! Slow Moving!
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Simon reviews Love! Valour! Compassion!, examining the play's reliance on sexual humor and contending that the themes are poorly developed.
-
McNally Men, Wasserstein Women
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Franklin favorably reviews Love! Valour! Compassion!, focusing on the play's structure, characters, and themes.
-
Uncommon Women Ages Poorly, McNally's Latest Has Its Strengths
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Scheck favorably reviews the character development, staging techniques, and performances in Love! Valour! Compassion!, while faulting the play's lack of "real dramatic structure or plot."
-
Love! Valour! Compassion!
(summary)
In the following favorable review, Kaufman examines the themes, characters, and plot development in Love! Valour! Compassion!
-
Love! Valour! Compassion!
(summary)
In the following mixed review of Love! Valour! Compassion!, Karfér states that "McNally shows little originality or audacity."
-
Love! Valour! Compassion!
(summary)
In the following review, Kissel favorably assesses Love! Valour! Compassion!, noting its significance in the history of gay theater in New York.
-
Love! Hits Broadway Running Like a Broadway Hit
(summary)
In the following favorable review, he applauds the structure, plot, and characters of Love! Valour! Compassion!
-
Love! Valour! Compassion!
(summary)
In the following favorable review, Gerard discusses the humor and pathos in Love! Valour! Compassion!
-
Aspects of Love and Compassion
(summary)
In the following excerpt, he reviews Love! Valour! Compassion!, faulting its plot, characterizations, and themes as examples of 'Yuppie Realism.'
-
Saucy! Schmaltzy! Slow Moving!
(summary)