Broadway is currently struggling to keep shows running after the recent COVID-19 surge hit New York City with the omicron variant. Some shows have been forced to go on hiatus, while a few have closed permanently.Stephen Sondheim’sThe original 1970 production was nominated for a record-breaking 14 Tony Awards and at the time was heralded for its contemporary depiction of dating, sex and marriage.
Doyle, who is an out actor, is referring to his role of Jamie, that originally was created as Amy. Playing opposite Etai Benson as Paul, Doyle’s character has possibly one of the most demanding songs ever to grace a musical theater score. “Getting Married Today” is a rapid-fire, upbeat cry of help from a bride — or in this case a groom — with cold feet, having a panic attack just as they're supposed to walk down the aisle.
But Doyle delivers. Not only is his performance of the song a knock-out, but the entire scene that centers around his relationship with Paul is an endearing highlight as well in an otherwise cold production. who died on Nov. 26, 2021 at the age of 91“He was really closely involved, especially the first time around because he was healthier then,” Doyle said of Sondheim’s involvement. “He was in the room with us, probably a couple times a week and gave notes and he loved this production.
Sondheim wrote for the times he was in, so much of his work never explicitly featured gay characters. That is, until now. For all the awards he was nominated and won over his lifetime — a Pulitzer Prize, eight Tony awards, an Oscar and eight Grammys — this revival marks, given to works in the media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community.
Doyle believes that Paul and Jamie are very representative of gay couples living in New York City today, trying to navigate the conservative confines of marriage paired with the liberating ideals often assumed of a gay lifestyle. Doyle even trips up trying to answer whether or not the couple in the show is monogamous or not, fittingly representative of the actual confusion gay couples like Paul and Jamie are living off stage.