Audience

“Not since David Drake’s ‘The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me’ have I felt so moved by a one-man performance.” B.K., New York City

“I just returned home from you show. That you are a hell of an actor you know it. That there are such great dramatists as your play bears witness to I had no suspicion of.” G.I., New York City

“We’ve recommended your show to all our friends.” J.K. and G.R., New York City

“Just wanted to congratulate you on a wonderful theatrical experience. I was one of the lucky attendees at Friday night’s performance. It’s a fascinating story made all the more emotionally charged by having you perform it yourself. I commend you for your personal courage.” J.S., New York City

“I did not see Los Angeles as one of the cities you plan to show to and I hope it’s just that you haven’t updated your site. If not, I wish that you would seriously consider L.A. as a viable city for your show. God know there is a large enough gay community that would be interested in seeing the show, and I’m sure a straight audience as well.” T.D., Los Angeles

“I am writing this email to thank you and congratulate you on your monologue play. I am impressed with the whole production. As I get to know more LDS folk, I am learning more about what it is like being LDS. Going to your performance let me see the other side of the Church. I myself am a protestant Christian. I am facing similar issues as you for being gay and trying to be a God fearing Christian. I thank God for people like you and friends of mine who help me see the other side of issues and try to reconcile all these. I think you will be successful one day and you will be an icon for all the hundreds and thousands of gay Mormons.” J.H., Salt Lake City

“I saw your play several weeks ago and have not been able to stop thinking about it since. You might remember that I came and talked with you briefly after the show. There were so many other things I wanted to say but couldn’t, because I was afraid of bursting into tears at any minute. Luckily, I waited until I was alone in my car to cry uncontrollably! I cannot even begin to tell you how your play affected me. I am ‘a good Mormon girl’ who grew up in Salt Lake City, served on Seminary Council in high school and went to BYU. A few years ago, I became interested in HIV/AIDS and started volunteering at the Utah AIDS Foundation. It was then that I realized how many people in my own religion deal with the issue that the Church calls ‘same sex attraction.’ Though I believe in and love my religion with all my heart, this issue is rarely addressed or talked about and I think it needs to be. Your play reveals what happens in the heart and soul of a person when he has to fight against himself, because he has been told he is going against God. While I don’t personally deal with this issue, I have several friends who do. The part of your play that most affected me is when you tell of being excommunicated. You said how completely devastated you were and that the only comfort you received was when you felt a voice telling you, ‘I am so much larger than this church.’ Just thinking about it now makes me want to start crying again, because I know what you felt is right. I think that every Mormon should see this play (and every other person, for that matter). Thank you for broadening my perspective. Thank you for giving me a glimpse into your life and how difficult it has been for you and other people like you. Thank you for not being bitter against the LDS religion or God in general. Thank you for speaking frankly about an issue that most Mormons want to forget about and pretend does not exist. I wish you all the luck and success in the world and I cannot wait to see your play again soon.” K.T., Salt Lake City

“I was moved, touched, and very entertained by your performance. Thanks for giving me something I could relate to being a ‘Mormon Boy’ myself and living in Salt Lake for most of my life.” D, Salt Lake City

“I got so much out of your performance; you’re a grand actor and a beautiful singer. Up until the part of you being an escort you could have been reading from my journal. I’m a returned missionary, divorced, father of two, who found it very healing to heard such a similar story. I just wanted you to know that in addition to a splendid performance, your message was strong, clear and I’m sure inspirational and informative to many. You’re such a good missionary.” J.A., SLC

“I wanted to thank you for your sincere, honest manner in portraying the trials and tribulations you went through. One of the things I truly admired about you is how you faced your fears. A lot of what you said in your play hit home with me. I have no bitter feelings toward the church. In fact, I attend off and on. One of the things I learned through your play is the only way to be happy is to face your fears. Thanks for enlightening my life.” D., Atlanta

“I don’t happen to be gay myself, but I was impressed with your courage to open yourself up like that. In spite of the fact that you have delivered your ‘confession’ many time over, I could still feel the pain you went through as you steered between what you felt was right and what those you loved felt was right. I could relate because of my divorce two years ago. I can certainly relate to how difficult it is to leave the Mormon religion without feeling forced to condemn everything about it as some would want you to do. I wanted to let you know that your message transcends just a homosexual issue.” M.K., SLC

“I have a deep respect that you found yourself in a situation and instead of griping about it, have done something positive. I used to work for a charity where w helped people who were both deaf AND blind, and that was described as being ‘the loneliest condition in the world’—I would say being a gay Mormon is a close second to that.” P., London

“Thanks for sharing your life through your play. You are an amazing, open, and so honest of a person.” D.J., Portland

“Thank you for verbalizing many things I have been through. Especially moving was your comment saying God knows us and is bigger than the Church . . . it touched me especially strong.” S.G., Salt Lake City

“I am so happy my friend and I got to see your amazing show . . . it is just stunning. You should be able to do it all over the world and help as well as entertain lots of people. Thanks for a most memorable and moving experience I shall not forget.” S.B., NYC

“I had the luxury of seeing your show today at the Fringe Festival in NYC. As an avid theatre-goer, rarely does a piece move me beyond my wildest dreams. I cannot even begin to express the emotions and feelings that went through me as I sat and watched you tell your story on stage. You were boldly candid, charming, intelligent, honest, and daring. As a 23-year-old gay male, it is wonderful to see someone emerge as a role model. A lot of what you said today is going to stay in my head and I can’t help but thank you for giving me insight into how others struggle and cope. Again, I truly cannot express how your show moved me, the correct words simply do not exist."

“Thanks for the show last Friday. I came and saw it with a bunch of my ex-Mormon friends. As an “ex-Fundamentalist” myself, I could relate to much of it. It was well-written, well-acted, and well-directed. Congratulations.” Andrew Brewer, SoulforceNYC.

“I missed your show in New York . . . I’m actually from Atlanta . . . and was in NY on business and tried to get to your show. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out, but I am desperate to see the show. I have heard a lot of GREAT things about it and MUST see it. Please keep me posted.” JG, Atlanta

“We tried 3 times to see your show at the Fringe Festival and you were sold out every time. Both sides of my ex-husband’s family are descended from pioneers who followed Brigham Young into the Salt Lake. I wish we could’ve seen your play and sincerely hope you bring it to Atlanta some day.” J.B.L., Atlanta

“Watching your show was very entertaining and educational for me. It has given me insight on gay mormons and will hopefully make it easier for me to date here in SLC. You are very brave and many people owe you a great debt for having the courage to share your journey.” T.M., Salt Lake City

“I’m the psychotherapist who spoke to you briefly after your performance yesterday. I would like to suggest that you find a way to make a DVD of Confessions of a Mormon Boy. I think it would be great if it could reach as wide an audience as possible. So nice that you know the answer to your childhood question, ‘Can I begin now?’” DL, NYC

“I attended your last show at the Fringe Festival and I want to tell you how impressed I was with your performance and your play. Slowly but surely, the play has worked its way into my psyche and I have been playing it over and over in my mind ever since. Your work pushed many of my own ‘buttons’ and I am surely a better man for having experienced your performance. If the description of good theatre is to inspire, to provoke and to renew . . . you have certainly created ‘good theatre.’ Your brutal honesty and the ingenious incorporation of farce juxtaposed with unaffected suffering . . . was courageous and theatrically cunning. My hat is off to you, actually my baseball cap. Much applause too, to Jack Hofsiss, a gifted director and someone whose work I have admired for years. I wish you all the best in your next engagement and hope that the buzz of an open-ended Off-Broadway Production is true.” RB, New York City

“I went to your performance Sunday at the Fringe Festival. Thank you. It was great. I have been thinking a lot about it since, and I think that is the sign of a real work of art. Thank you for showing the Church in a fair and candid manner. It has been hard ‘coming out’ over the last few years, as the church has been such a part of my life. I have come across many people who are happy to say that Mormons are the devil incarnate. It is more difficult to find someone who acknowledges that leaving the church was difficult. Thanks for helping me put a lot of this together. Thanks for making me feel not so lonely for a hundred minutes on Sunday.” D.B., NYC

“You genuinely moved me. I’m also married and have a daughter. I deeply love them both, but can’t deny my ‘SSA’. At the end of the play I had tears in my eyes and was embarrassed to talk to you in the hallway with so many people around. Now I regret not having given you a big hug and thanking you for your gallantry in telling us your personal story. I wish you all the best and success. Your children shall be proud of you.”

R, NYC

“I just saw this afternoon’s performance of your play, and I write to tell you what you surely already know: it is a lovely, exhausting, excruciating, engrossing, and even enobleing, but always beautiful piece of work. At most Fringe productions, it is enough to ber witness to the sheer energy, but here the energy was infused with intelligence and pain and grace. Thank you for a remarkable bit of theatre – remarkable both in conception and execution. I shall remember it. And you.” N.J., New York City

“I found your performance very moving on many different levels. You share an intensely personal series of chapters in your life with courage and panache, addressing issues taboo and mundane that face many of us as gay men (and many of us in recovery) at one time or another. Thank you. The highest accolade I can give a performer or playwright is ‘You made me think’—bravo! You did.” R.C., Palm Springs

“Thank you so much for presenting your life on stage last night. Though they were your words and your experiences, it was as if I was watching my life being played out on stage. So very much of the same experiences you have had in your life mirror mine.” S.N., Palm Springs

“I went to your performance at the NCTC tonight and I wanted to say I found it funny, sad, warm, and moving. I believe you’re touching many people and, besides being entertaining, your work is important. Thanks for a wonderful evening.” C.K., San Francisco

“Great performance, I really enjoyed it. As a gay, 30-something (recovering) Mormon, I identified completely (although I skipped the mission and straight marriage). I always like hearing others with that background tell their story, particularly as you did on stage in such an engaging and touching manner. Best of luck in your upcoming projects!” J.S., San Francisco

“I have raved about your show to friends. Really good theatre in South Florida can be like a really good-looking hair system on a straight man.” A.M., Miami

“God bless you, Steven. I hope you have seen the last of the terrible pain that you had to go through in the trials of your youth. Keep up the good work, the religious abuse must be brought to the attention of the world as most religions seem to dwell mostly on sex instead of love. Someday perhaps we will hear the clergy deliver the true words of God.” L.B., Miami

“You and your play were fantastic. There is no doubt in my mind that this is Tony material and if I were you I would expect it. I find myself having to scramble all of my closest friends in Miami area to insist that they catch your play before it is gone. My friends in the New York area will also be alerted to a “must see” play and performance. Comments from an elderly lady in the ladies’ room was ‘if I had known what the play was all about, I wouldn’t have gone, but I didn’t and I am so happy I had the opportunity to be here.” You’ve got a winner and I wish you the best. I want you on Broadway and want to be there to see it.” G.N., Miami

“You became a different person when you shed the wig. It was hard to believe you were the same person who had led us through the rollercoaster of events that make up your life. You are a talented actor, and you have written a moving story with strong values. You are a proud and committed father—it is one of the strongest messages of your play.” G.Z., Miami

“While on a Florida vacation, my friend and I walked by the Coconut Grove Playhouse and thought the play looked interesting. But we didn’t have a chance to see it while in Miami. Will it be coming to Seattle and when?” C.L., Seattle

“I was extremely impressed with your candor, wit, writing, and acting. Confessions of a Mormon Boy was unlike anything I’ve ever seen.” G.R., NYC/Miami

“Brilliant. Not only are you doing yourself a therapeutic favor telling your compelling story to the world, but you help out so many others who may identify with so much of what you went through. You story is real and the world needs to hear it. Thanks for putting it in such a platable, fun, and moving way.” M., Miami

“My partner, Mark, and I saw your show Saturday night in Miami. With a title like that, what gay Mormon could stay away. Your play brought back so many memories. Your becoming an escort didn’t surprise me. The pattern my friends and I noticed was that when Mormon boys ‘come out’ and leave their conservative black and white world they go wild. We did. Most of us discover that an unrestrained life is equally unsatisfying as our strict upbringing and we find new life and live it following the middle path. We both enjoyed the play and from the comments we heard from the audience after the show, everyone else did as well.” L., Miami

“Wow! I saw your performance Friday night. A group of my friends and I were sitting at table AA. I had been called months ago by two of my friends who had read about your play and was told by both that they wanted to go with me. I had no interest in doing so, knowing that it would stir up all my shit and would be dragged through my past as well. That did happen the other night, but in the end my friends got a chance to get to know a major part of who I am through watching you. They have all heard pieces, but from one dramatic queen to another, we know that telling whole story serves a lot more bang for the buck then just random pieces. I just wanted to reach out and tell you from another voice in the world that you are not alone and what you are doing is very powerful and very important. Your story moved me deeply and my life is honored through your bravery.” M.S., Miami

“I just came back from seeing your show in Miami. I loved it. It was so human and honest. Good luck in New York and God bless you.” C., Miami

“Has the play been published? Where is it available?” W.B., Miami

“First, I wanted to let you know that I saw your production last night ans was very moved. It was beautifully written and brilliantly acted. My partner was raised in Salt Lake City with a Mormon upbringing and to say the least felt quite a bit validated by you and your play. Thank you for baring your soul. It was beautiful.” K.P., Miami

“Saw the show Wed. nite and it was wonderful. You kept me wrapt for 90 minutes. You are a great actor, wonderful singer, and superb writer. I am not gay or lesbian, but have two brothers who were and are (one is deceased from AIDS), the other lives in NYC. We too came from a religious family and I certainly could empathize as I am sure many can with your story. I pray that your family remains close with love and understanding and that your story will open many others’ eyes to the challenges you face and God will bless your work.” T., Miami

“WOW!!! I am just back from reviewing your August 11 matinee performance at NCTC in San Francisco. So much better than I expected. Your writing was brilliant. I particularly liked the way you squeezed in bits of humor and currency among the profoundly moving story of a Mormon Boy dealing with sexual orientation, religion, family, and love. It seemed totally real. Your acting was incredible. I felt like applauding your songs but didn’t even though your voice deserved it. You did an excellent job of portraying different people. Your transitions to different characters and situations was flawless. I was completely pulled into your character and situation. I think your children will be truly and rightfully proud of their father.” Bob Latham, www.q-zine.com, San Francisco

“I just saw your show at NCTC. I found it absolutely the best show I’ve seen in quite a while. I’m not sure why it is that God chose to have a single individual be so talented not only in writing the script but also in playing the part, composing songs, singing beautifully, having a quick wit along with apparent caring, and to boot, is one VERY pleasant package to look at on top of it all! Do you suppose the devil had something to do with this?” K.H., San Francisco

“Saw your show last night and although I complimented you after the show I wanted to send another ‘break a leg’ to you for this auspicious opening night. Flowers and gratitude for your inspiring journey and the awareness to grasp its value to others and to be able to share that.” H.B., San Francisco

“Europe and Scandanavia . . . that’s where you should direct your show . . .er . . . play! I’m sure it would be well received and probably would make better money . . . scandanavians are wonderful and very broadminded.” P.N., Las Vegas

“My partner and I saw your play Saturday night in Las Vegas. Sunday will be our 5th anniversary. The one problem is that he is a Mormon and I am a Catholic. After your play (which was wonderful) during the drive home, we had the most productive conversation about his feelings and his family that we have ever had in the five years we have been together. Thank you for helping me to understand a man that I love and have spent 5 years of my life with. Thank you for helping me to feel that there is another 5 years and then another and then another in this relationship. Thank you for helping him to be able to speak about his issues to me for the first time in our relationship. Thank you for being Steven Fales and for being strong enough to be the Steven Fales that can continue to help total strangers like myself.  You, Emily, and your children will remain in my prayers.” M.Y., Las Vegas

“I can’t begin to tell you how greatly I enjoyed your performance. It is rare to see a production that speaks so deeply to you. Your writing was like a masterful poet’s. The contrasting humor/seriousness, pain/pleasure, conservative/liberal, straight/gay and happiness/sadness themes that ran through the play were well timed and really contributed to a whole experience. I can’t tell you how moved I was when you were hearing the church elders that you were being excommunicated for something that they claimed didn’t exist. Then you heard another voice that said, “I am God and I am so much bigger than any church.” I began to cry. I have struggled with agnosticism and my catholic upbringing. I find that it is easier to tell people that I do not believe in God rather than explain that my concept of God is nothing like the ‘god’ contrived by various religions. Your line really hit home and made me rediscover that God is so much bigger than any theory conceived by man’s brain. My partner and I both were moved beyond words. We found ourselves walking down Market Street unable to formulate a sentence to describe the rush of feelings we had just experienced. Laughing and crying at the same moment. I can only hope that this grows in popularity and comes to Washington D.C. or New York, so that I may bring friends to see it and hopefully have a similar experience as I did.” C.G., San Francisco

“The performance was great and the subject matter touch oh! So close to home. More humans –both Mormon and non-Mormon—in various venues need to hear your heart-wrenching story, in your strong yet balanced voice.” R.N., San Francisco

“My partner and I feel fortunate to have seen your show tonight. It was revealing, moving, complex, energetic, and uplifting. Thanks for sharing your story.” P.C., San Francisco

“I saw your play on Wendesday (Aug. 14th) in San Francisco. I almost didn’t—because the SF Chronicle, which didn’t do you or your play justice (but wasn’t all that bad of a review really). Your performance was overwhelming –moving, funny, entertaining, sexy, and honest. A lot of us in the audience were in tears many times during the play. I am a member of the church – though not active now. I wasn’t raised a Mormon, though, but all the things you said and how you said it with the look on how you said it, man, it was right on target. You gave up a half-life for a full one. Its hard to measure losses like that. But I saw it in your face, in your stance and in the way you said it. You understand. You have a special connection with us in the audience. I don’t go to a lot of plays, but I was never so moved in so many ways, even to tears before your play. Thank you. You were terrific and everyone in the audience was profoundly moved. I noticed several people wiping tears as they left.” M.O., San Francisco

“My partner has directed over 150 plays, won the LA Critics award, etc. We thought the review in the Chronicle was wrong. It did not pay close enough attention to the play. You are wonderful. We are thrilled to have seen you do this.” C.S., San Francisco

“I would like to make special comment about the line during the New York Gay Scene sequence. Tears came to my eyes in empathy and sympathy—and it was to me the climax of the whole presentation when you said, “I gave up hugging time for this?!” That was one of the most heart-piercing lines I have ever heard, in context to lines in King Lear, Chekhov, and Ibsen. The Great Salvation, also turned out equally to be a cul de sac, and possibly less satisfactory than the first one. The Gay Scene turned out to be just another room in the hell that your life had become. We know. We understand. I shall never forget that little line; it is like the moment of King Lear’s belief that his most beloved daughter does not love him. You have a beautiful speaking and singing voice. You look beautiful. You act extremely well. What a gifted person you are! And you have already been through hell and perdition and back. Steven Fales, may the rest of your life be a song, and may you always have joy in singing it.” R.H., San Francisco

“I hope someone at PBS would consider airing your story (in interview and/or play form) to reach the non-theatre going masses.” G.R., San Francisco

“This is out of character for me to write, but I really wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for you and your show. I sat during the performance in amazement and in some pain as well. As you have probably been told time and time again, you told my story except I went a step further. I was in the ‘professional’ ministry for 23 years. When you concluded with, ‘Heavenly Father, Thank you for my life’ I was moved. I’ve thought about it all day. I want that for me, too.” D.M., San Francisco

“You probably get a million email responses about your one-man play and the impact you made, but I just wanted to say ‘thanks.’ Your play was almost a mirror statement of my trials and tribulations as a member of the Church and my search for my ‘true self.’” E.E., Las Vegas

“I just got back from a trip to Las Vegas with my boyfriend and wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed your performance. It was a complete accident that we found out about the show, but when we saw the poster, we knew we had to go. We were scared that perhaps it was a story that would end up preaching to us about ‘although you may have strayed from the church, it’s not too late. We can fix you.’ I have to admit, we were very surprised at how the show turned out. My boyfriend was born in St. George, Utah. Not being LDS, I could not personally relate to many of the things you talked about, but . . .numerous times felt my eyes well up with tears. I looked over at my boyfriend and he was sitting there, so quietly, staring at the stage, watching you perform with tears running down his cheek like I’ve never seen before. Your message in the end was stunning. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard and I thank you so much for having the courage to put this together and share your life with others. I’m writing to you today to let you know that although I cannot stop talking about what a wonderful performance it was, more importantly I wanted to let you know just how much this performance meant to both of us. You touched a part of his soul that not many people would ever be able to and you let him know that everything will be ok. He walked out of the performance, dried his eyes, looked at me and told me just how much he thanked God for his blessings. He knows he has many as I do. Thanks, Steven. Many blessings to you.” R.H., Las Vegas

“I just wanted to say many thanks for sharing your story, my story, and the story of so many others in ‘Confessions of a Mormon Boy’. You articulated so perfectly the feelings, emotions, experiences, and the journey of self-discovery that comes from being LDS and also finding that one is gay. I wish I could afford to fly out my parents, brother, his family, ex-wife and friends to see your show so that they could get a better feel for what I have been through. I look forward to your biography and will purchase copies for them so that they can perhaps gain an inner insight to what it really has been like going through what we have been through. I guess one of my greatest wishes is that now at last someone has created something that will way down the line help my daughter to have a better understanding as to why I was not in the same home she was as she was growing up (she is now only 2). I can only imagine some of the emotions that you must have gone through in being so honest and open about your life. Many, many thanks, Steven, for not being afraid to say it as it was. I really do wish you every success in your upcoming production, especially in NY—rather selfish I guess as the greater success there then the increased possibility of you being able to come over to London to share your story and talents here in the U.K.” I.H., England

“It was my great pleasure to attend the matinee of Confessions of a Mormon Boy in Las Vegas yesterday. Confessions is more than an outstanding play: it is a deeply moving one that achieves the perfect balance between humor and serious, insightful introspection. Your acting added a great deal to the performance. Your body language is absolutely perfect. I found myself roaring with laughter, but then dissolving in tears as some of the more somber aspects of your experience were revealed.” R.B.S., Las Vegas

“Change the name, change the denomination to Lutheran, and almost all of what you described, lived and experienced mirrored my own life.” J.H., Las Vegas

“I saw your Confessions twice in San Francisco.” V.P., San Francisco

“I wish that everyone could somehow be required to see this . . . it should be something that should be shown in every high school . . . it should be made into a teleplay. Frankly, your message is so important. Your story was so poignant and meaningful because it wasn’t a work of fiction. You weren’t an actor, playing a role. You were yourself, telling your story (which by the way I found brilliantly written). Although the story was sad, somehow you made it light and fun and frankly, non-threatening to anyone.” S., Las Vegas

“I saw your play in Las Vegas. I cried and laughed with you. So much of what you went through is my own life. Thank you for expressing it in a beautiful spiritual way.” R., Las Vegas

“Was deeply touched by it. Was glad to see that you were not negative towards the church. That has been the one thing that bugs me about gay members of the church. A lot of them seem to lash out at the church. The production to me showed how well you had thought out how you would convey your story. I hope several get your message and that this helps others who are struggling. Glad to see what a great impact the gospel has had on your life. You seem to be an intelligent individual with a great spirit. I will say I thought about the show and you and your life all night long. I felt a great spirit there and all night long, inknowing that I made the right decision 20 years ago to come out and accept myself and be who I am.” C.F., Las Vegas

“I just had to write and tell you how much I enjoyed your play last night. It moved me more than I can express. What a beautiful story told by a beautiful person. Thank you, I have not felt the spirit that powerfully in ages.” T.G., Las Vegas

“I am a gay man, and though I don’t know much about Mormonism, the idea of a show about a handsome gay man grappling with issues of family and spirituality is really wonderful. Sex is good, and seeing hot guys on stage is usually exciting and engaging, but to see someone reach a bit deeper than burlesque is heartening.” J.P., Las Vegas

“I just wanted to drop you a quick note and thank you, again, for sharing your story and for a well-orchestrated, touching piece of theater. I thought about the play throughout the weekend. The honest and open style in which you chose to base your play is admirable and brave and your performance was equally impressive. I’ll be sure to recommend your show to my friends.” J.W., San Francisco

“I identified to a lot of the performance, as I too am a 30-something gay Mormon divorced father.” A.V., San Francisco

“Thanks, too, for the information about being the dad of a Mormon daughter. It is a relief to find an objective point of view. Current Mormons or people who have left the church and have little good to say about it have not been good sources of information on parenting. You appear to use your gifts well.” J.L., San Francisco

“I felt my own story being shown as you conveyed it through your performance. It was cathartic for me. I laughed and cried through it all. I brought my partner and a couple of friends to your play. They really came away with some more understanding of coming out in the Mormon world. I wish I could have met you and thank you personally. I did get your poster and it will be framed and posted on a wall in my home. It will remind me of my continuing journey and of your performance that touched me deeply.” J.L., San Francisco

“I saw ‘Confessions’ last weekend and was deeply touched by it. I grew up in the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa and I felt that many parallels could be drawn between your experience and mine. The dogma might be different. However, dealing with the experience of becoming fully truthful to who I really am WHILE confronting this in the context of a religion that sees homosexuality as a sin left me feeling all the same. This not is to commend you for taking the bold move to tell your personal story. Thank you for sharing your experience. I certainly got something from this, as I am sure many others did as well.” K.N., San Francisco

“The song you wrote was fantastic! I wish I could buy a CD of you singing it. I hope you plan on writing more.” M.W., San Francisco

“I’m not sure how to express what an impact your show had on me last night. It was by far the most moving, personal, and touching presentation I have ever seen. You had me laughing, crying, and confronting several memories I had blocked out. I wish you the very best with your show and can’t wait to see the next act. As several people mentioned last night (Mormon and non-Mormon alike) you will go huge with this show because everyone can relate.” D.B., San Francisco

“I personally felt touched during the revelation scene of the reading of the verdict from the “court of love” about knowing that God loves you and that he is bigger than the Church. That’s similar to what my own father has been telling me as I face my own possible excommunication from the Church. My friend was especially moved during the funeral scene. He mentioned he was almost in full blown tears near its end.” M., San Francisco

“Thank you for an extraordinary moving experience. Arthur Miller said once that the difference between an ordinary evening in the theatre and a great one is that with the latter there are gasps of recognition from the audience as they realize it is their own story being enacted in front of them. That was my experience last night. To say that your story, and especially your enacting of it, was compelling is faint praise. I have seen a lot of plays in my lifetime, including this year’s Pulitzer Drama winner on a recent NYC trip. But the truth of Arthur Miller’s observation was far more, well, dramatic, last night in the last row at NCTC last evening. My eyes had already been brimming with tears several times, both from laughter and sadness, before the ‘excommunication scene.’ But that scene, and especially the pain in your face and voice as you asked, ‘where is the love?’ did me in. 40 years ago I made vows as a member of a Catholic religious order. Last night, when you so poignantly asked, ‘Where is the love?’ you connected with a bullseye, emotionally and spiritually, to me in the last row. My eyes flooded with tears and I felt one with you in your pain, frustration, hurt and outrage. It was the most powerful moment I’ve had in a theatre in a very long time.” J.F., San Francisco

“Thoroughly enjoyed it. You were able to sustain just the right tone, not too whiney, not too self-deprecating, and certainly not too bitter. So glad that you’re willing to tell your story—a story that’s familiar to so many gay ex-Mormons. I’ve heard it in bars, in restaurants, in the homes of friends, but never on the stage of a theater. I’m sure it’s had a cathartic effect on you and many members of your audience. I particularly liked your oh-so-accurate description of the church in your interview with the stake president. I’m so glad you’re taking your show to New York. Everyone—gay or straight, Mormon or non-Mormon—will be thoroughly entertained and given some food for thought.” L., San Francisco

“I just wanted to thank you for FINALLY putting into words what so many of us have gone through. As an LDS lesbian who grew up in Ogden, Utah, my experience mirrored yours. It was soooooooo funny to witness your scene with the therapist who used kinesiology on you. I, too, was told that I must have undergone some trauma as a fetus. How bizarre is that?” J.T., Las Vegas

“It is nice to see that even though we have different religious backgrounds that most of your life experiences are similar.” B., Las Vegas

“Your story is truly captivating and moved me in a way that I have rarely been moved by a performance. You bring the story to life in a very simple and honest way with great theatrical forethought and restraint. Your performance really drew me into your story. My story is very similar to yours in many ways but also very different—Baptist family in a small town in Michigan. I hope that your story will touch many in the way it has touched me and that your effort to condemn the church for excluding us without damning them and your efforts to provide a way out for others who have been caught up in the sex hustle without damning them will succeed.” R.H., San Francisco

“I guess you get e-mails by the hundreds and you should because you are fantastic, yet for me this is definitely a first, that an actor touched me so deeply that I am sitting down and writing about it. I was sitting in the first row and I could not take my eyes off you and all the pictures you evoked in me. I am so happy that all the guilt and shame that your church tried to implant into you did not result in a devastating illness and that the history of your ex-wife did not fulfill itself. You are alive, you will be able to see your kids grow up, to be a dad, to help them to make choices in life.” J.V., San Francisco

“A non-LDS friend of mine saw the flyer for your monologue and I promptly got 4 tickets for him and me and two gay mormon friends. Your presentation was so worth it. It exceeded my hopes to be lightly funny, brutally honest, and real to the core. It explained (better than I ever did to my non-LDS friends) why such a strict religious belief is such a strong part of my life and still such a contradiction to it. And yes . . . you fit the Utah boy image to a tee!” D.D., San Francisco

“I’d like to encourage you to write your story in a book to be shared with a wider audience. My hope is that by being exposed to our stories, that society can change over time to accept and in fact, love, gay men as we are. And, my hope is that as a result more of us will feel our lives do matter and that we do have something to live for. And finally, my hope is that eventually no young gay man will have to go through what I have, dealing with a life-threatening disease in my twenties.” S.L., San Francisco

“Do you plan to come to Phoenix/Mesa area of Arizona sometime soon?” C.

“I have heard by many friends this is a must see . . . any plans to come to the Los Angeles area anytime soon?” J.R., Los Angeles

“I have recommended the show to a number of friends here in So., FL. Any thought of doing the show in Provincetown?” H., Miami

“I have to admit that I was ambivalent about going to the show. I also have to admit that I was very pleasantly surprised. I thought that you were brilliant. Your performance was so energetic. I laughed, I cried. I can’t even imagine how cathartic it must have been to write and then to perform night after night. Your family, all of it, should be very proud of you! My reticence was pretty simple and maybe a little prudish. I never considered hustling to be an honorable employment choice for a bright, attractive young man. I know that being gay isn’t a choice, but having sex for money is. That said, I’m glad to see that your experience resulted in a brilliantly creative endeavor.” P.H., Miami

“My heart and spirit were so burdened for you that I felt compelled to write. It has been a month since I saw the play and the conviction to write hasn’t diminished.” M.M., Miami

“I heard such wonderful reviews from friends who got to see your show at the Coconut Grove in Florida. I unfortunately did not make it . . . but will be in New York. Will it be running in June?” J.R., Miami

“Is the script available to read? Is the play available to perform?” V.C.