Day 16: Stanley Kowalski is probably gay too

I caught the Montana Rep’s version of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof tonight, which I thought was really good, and highly recommend.

My friend Alex and I (remember him from a few posts back?) caught it together as a bit of a man-date and between acts had a talk about how each Tennessee Williams play touches on the topic of closeted gay men...which sort of makes sense given the context of the man-date

“Yeah, I wonder why,” Alex quipped.

But then I dropped a bomb. Since high school I’ve been working out this theory that Stanley Kowalski is gay. Sure Blanche’s husband was gay so that would fit the motif of a Williams play, but I also think Stanley stood in the closet as well.

My argument: Stanley had to lash out at Blanche not because he found her annoying and intrusive, but because, after finding out about her closeted gay husband (CGH), he felt his secret, living as a gay man, could be known. Further, what does he do with the knowledge of the CGH? He goes and tells his friend Mitch so Mitch will end it with Blanche. See, he wanted Mitch all to himself, and he knew pushing the two away would create a rift wherein he could make his move on his long time pal. And the ending? The whole “STELLA!” thing? More rage based on how he feels inside, a person uncomfortable in his own skin. He needs Stella because she stands as the one thing that can keep him on the status quo. It’s sad really. Way sadder than Blanche’s craziness.

Okay. I’m not completely serious, but I think there is an argument that Stanley was gay – if only I just make it up in my head to entertain a friend during an intermission.

Still, it opens up that whole debate about Brando again…

Anyway, I'd like to touch back on the whole man-date thing. I've noticed whenever two guys hangout in a scenario most commonly enjoyed by a couple – play, movie, dinner – somehow the conversation always ends up about stupid, completely inane crap. But I think guys need to do it. It gives us time to talk about stupid inane crap that only guys talk about.

Little update on the "Big news": It's coming on Friday...and no, I'm not pregnant.