Gay Theater Over the Angst

A slew of new theater productions involving gay characters and storylines focus more on love than AIDS or oppression, according to The New York Times.

Yank! (pictured) and Next Fall center on their characters' romantic struggles, a universal theme not specific to gay audiences. Many of the producers told the Times that they intentionally avoided inserting issues like same-sex marriage and "don't ask, don't tell" into their stories.

"I think we have a better chance of attracting straight and gay audience members with universal emotions, like love and loyalty, that touch the lives of these gay men and show how we are all equal, rather than do it through polarizing arguments," said Richard Willis, one of the lead producers of Next Fall, which recently began previews.

This direction is much different from earlier Broadway and off-Broadway productions like The Children's Hour, The Normal Heart, and Angels in America, which focused on gay depression, oppression, and AIDS.