Very often, symbols with positive connotations are used against people. The swastika was primarily known as an ancient good luck symbol used in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Odinism, and who knows how many other isms. But once the Nazis co-opted it, it became a universal sign of evil, and I doubt it will be rehabilitated any time soon. And of course, we recently saw the strong emotions still elicited by the Confederate flag. Despite attempts to reclaim it as a symbol of Southern gentility, the scars of slavery linger on.

I was thinking about this when I went to see Martin Sherman‘s play Bent at the Mark Taper Forum. In it, we see how the Nazis forced gay people to wear the pink triangle to identify themselves. Yet somehow, the pink triangle has evolved. When I came out in the mid-’80s, they were all the rage. People wore them on T-shirts, jewelry, and they adorned banners at gay pride parades. It is said that Sherman’s play helped gay people take this symbol of shame and reclaim it as one of pride…which would surely fit in with the timeline I remember. There’s a lesson to be learned there. This revival of Bent was powerfully presented under the steady hand of Moisés Kaufman. The production was evocative, and special plaudits must go to the sound and lighting design, which heightened the emotional struggle being depicted. While the play itself may not pack the wallop it did in 1979 (featuring Sir Ian McKellen in London and Richard Gere on Broadway), the cast was universally excellent. The ensemble was led by Patrick Heusinger and Charlie Hofheimer, who were never less than riveting, particularly in the second act. One must admire the truncated, but still heartbreaking, work of a blond Andy Mientus. As to the much-ballyhooed professional stage acting debut of Jake Shears, it was a case of much ado about nothing. The song he performed (and composed) was totally fine, if not vocally challenging. And he cuts a dashing presence onstage. But his stage time is remarkably brief. As an actor, he certainly held his own – no small feat given the strong cast. And to prove my point, a source leaked me a video of his entire scene from the play, which I’ll post for you exclusively on BillyMasters.com.