Best Of: Harvey Fierstein on Broadway, drag, and his legendary voice

1A

NPR

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4.3 • 4.5K Ratings

🗓️ 13 March 2022

⏱️ 25 minutes

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Summary

Harvey Fierstein first questioned his gender when he was 7 years old. The Tony-award-winning playwright behind Broadway hits including "Kinky Boots" and "Newsies" recounts the story in his new memoir, "I Was Better Last Night."

Fierstein brought queer characters to the stage and screen. He won Tonys for "Torch Song Trilogy" and "La Cage Aux Folles," both of which he wrote. The shows, which premiered in the 1980s, introduced gay relationships and characters to Broadway audiences.

Off-stage, Fierstein was living through the AIDS epidemic, a harrowing and tragic experience that led to him turning away from show business and towards substance abuse.

We talk to Fierstein about his career and take questions from you.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Tony award-winning playwright and actor Harvey Firestein spent the last 50 years in show
0:13.0	business.
0:14.0	If you don't recognize his name, you probably recognize his voice.
0:18.0	Oh my god.
0:19.0	Oh my god.
0:20.0	Oh my god.
0:21.0	Oh my god, I gotta call my brother.
0:23.0	I better call my housekeeper.
0:24.0	I gotta call my lawyer.
0:26.0	Forget my lawyer.
0:28.3	That was Harvey in the 1996 blockbuster Independence Day.
0:32.0	He's made a name for himself on Broadway.
0:34.0	He's starred in hit musicals including Fittler on the Roof and Hair Spray and wrote multiple
0:39.0	Tony award-winning plays including Kinky Boots and Newsies.
0:43.1	Harvey Firestein has a new book recounting his life on and off stage.
0:47.3	It's called, I was better last night, a memoir.
0:50.7	We'll be back with more in just a moment.
0:56.0	Remember to join future conversations, download our Wedding Vox Pop app and leave us a voice
1:00.9	mail.
1:07.2	Support for NPR and the following message come from BetterHelp, offering online counseling.
1:11.9	BetterHelp Therapist Tessu Jo knows that lockdown has been hard on us as humans.
1:16.4	We as people are hardwired to connect with others, which is why this whole time is so difficult.
	...

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