We don’t often buy advanced tickets, but we hit some great deals on three gay-themed shows that we’re eager to see. Here’s what is on our itinerary.

• On February 21 we see The Temperamentals. This show ran off Broadway to much critical acclaim in 2009 and is returning in another off Broadway engagement this month. “Temperamental” was code for “homosexual” in the early 1950’s, part of a created language of secret words that gay men used to communicate. The Temperamentals tells the story of two men–the communist Harry Hay and the Viennese refugee and designer Rudi Gernreich–as they fall in love while building the first gay rights organization (The Mattachine Society) in the pre-Stonewall United States. Ugly Betty’s Michael Urie plays Gernreich.
• February 28 it’s off to Yank! This musical, which was born at the 2005 New York Musical Theatre Festival, chronicles the relationship between two World War II servicemen long before “don’t-ask-don’t-tell” existed. With a lively score inspired by the pop sounds of the 1940s, the musical captures the spirit and exuberance of the era as it explores questions of prejudice, courage and survival. Bobby Steggert, who we most recently saw in the revival of Ragtime, leads the cast.
• Then, after a few weeks off, we see Next Fall on March 21. This show focuses on Luke, who believes in God, and Adam, who believes in everything else. They’ve been together for five years when an accident changes everything, Adam must turn to Luke’s family and friends for support… and answers. Next Fall paints a beautiful and funny portrait of modern romance, asking the hard questions about commitment, love and faith.

All signs point to three amazing theatre outings.

Two other gay plays of note, one running now and one coming soon:

• The 1960s classic The Boys in the Band is running off-Broadway and it’s staged in an actual penthouse. This limited run only goes until mid-March and I’m afraid we’re going to end up missing this. I’m hoping this gets extended so we can work it into our schedule.
• Looking out to this fall, the Signature Theatre is staging Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer and Tony winning epic Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. It’s the first New York staging since it’s original Broadway run in the early 90s. Michael Grief will direct. I saw this in San Francisco in 1996 and I’m looking forward to this new staging in September.