The Nance is a play by American playwright Douglas Carter Beane. It premiered on Broadway in 2013 and explores themes of identity, performance, and the historical persecution of homosexual individuals in the United States.
Synopsis and Themes: Set in New York City in 1937, the play centers on Chauncey Miles, a "nance" performer in a burlesque show. A "nance" was a stereotypical, effeminate, homosexual character in vaudeville and burlesque, often played for laughs. While Chauncey embodies this flamboyant persona on stage, his real life is far more complex and dangerous. The play contrasts the freedom and acceptance Chauncey finds in his theatrical role with the increasing societal pressures and legal crackdown against homosexuality in the 1930s, particularly the moral crusades that targeted burlesque houses and gay men.
The narrative follows Chauncey's attempts to navigate his personal life and find love amidst a homophobic society, leading to a relationship with a younger man named Ned. The play highlights the hypocrisy and the tragic consequences of living a hidden life, contrasting the public persona with private vulnerability. It delves into the historical context of the "lavender scare" long before McCarthyism, showing how anti-vice campaigns of the era targeted queer individuals and spaces.
Characters:
- Chauncey Miles: A middle-aged gay burlesque performer who plays the "nance."
- Ned: A younger man with whom Chauncey forms a relationship.
- Sylvie: A burlesque stripper and Chauncey's landlady.
- Effie: Another burlesque stripper.
- Carmen: Another burlesque stripper.
Production History: The Nance premiered on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre on March 21, 2013, with an official opening on April 15, 2013. It was directed by Jack O'Brien and starred Nathan Lane as Chauncey Miles, a performance for which he received a Tony Award nomination. The play received critical acclaim for its witty dialogue, historical insight, and Lane's nuanced performance, which underscored the pathos and resilience of its central character.
Significance: The play is notable for its exploration of a specific piece of LGBTQ+ history—the "nance" archetype and the challenges faced by gay men in the pre-Stonewall era. It serves as a historical reminder of how public performance spaces, even those that caricatured homosexuality, could also be a haven and a means of expression for queer individuals, while simultaneously illuminating the real-world dangers they faced off-stage. The Nance contributes to the theatrical canon of plays addressing queer themes and historical oppression.