This first book-length study on the relationship of the plays by Terrence McNally, one of America’s celebrated major dramatists and award-winning playwright about gay life in New York City, to the history of gay theatre during McNally’s career, which has spanned more than half a century. The book written by theatre expert John Clum examines McNally’s work from the political movements of the 1960s and the history of gay men in New York during the early years of gay liberation, the age of AIDS, and the new reality of gay marriage and families.

This is an original contribution to the field. No scholar has contextualized McNally quite this way. The book impresses with its analytical rigorous yet readable style. -Matthew Roudane, Regents Professor of American Drama, Georgia State University

This is a thorough study of Terrence McNally. The context of gay theatre, gay New York, and gay history is masterfully incorporated, making this book valuable at multiple levels-literary to biographical to historical. -William W. Demastes, Alumni Professor of English, Louisiana State University