Star turn

As I write this, we’re in the season of red-carpet events, with snaps and stories from the Tonys, Emmys, Grammys, and Oscars filling my feeds. Thus, reading about the entertainment biz seems appropriate.

In Harvey Fierstein’s new memoir, I Was Better Last Night , the playwright, performer, and gay-rights activist shares his journey–from an outsider-ready-to-try-anything in 1950’s Brooklyn, to today’s four-time Tony-Award winning icon of American theater, television, and film.

Fierstein’s string of career accomplishments is truly impressive, starting with his creation of Torch Song Trilogy, in which he broke ground with his portrayal Arnold Beckoff, a Jewish gay man looking for love.

As you’d expect from Fierstein–known for hits including La Cage Aux Folles, Hairspray , and Kinky Boots– the book ricochets from gut-busting tragedy to side-splitting comedy, sometimes in the same sentence.

It’s also extraordinarily personal, candidly recounting what it was like to be on the front lines fighting for gay rights in the 1970s and to face the impact of AIDS on the gay community in the 1980s. He recounts failed romances, career challenges, and his experiences with alcoholism and recovery. He is incredibly insightful about the creative compromises sometimes necessary to bring work to life. He speaks reverently about stepping into the role of Tevye in Fiddler, and takes us inside his friendship with Robin Williams, a friendship born from their work together on Mrs. Doubtfire.

While Fierstein is as dishy (hilariously dishy) as you’d expect, he saves his malice for those whose prejudices and intolerance merit his scorn. Everyone else is given a lighter touch, despite their foibles and rough spots. Alongside the many characters who appear in key roles and cameos, Fierstein is clearly the creative, larger-than-life star of his own story. It is an eye-opening journey, beautifully lived and equally well told. I look forward to seeing what he does next.

Betsy Gomberg reads (and sometimes writes about) Jewish books. She is Spertus Institute’s Director of Marketing & Communications.