‘My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?)’ Postpones Broadway Run Until Spring 2025
The show must go on — just not right now.
On Thursday (Feb. 8), the producers of the one-person show My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?) announced that the production would not be moving forward with its upcoming run on Broadway, opting to push it until the spring 2025 season. The official dates and theater for the future production will be released at a later date, according to a press release, and all tickets will be refunded by their points of purchase.
In a video posted to their Instagram on Thursday (Feb. 8), star and creator of My Son’s a Queer Rob Madge confirmed the “very sad news” about the show, revealing that they learned of the decision on Wednesday (Feb. 7). “It sort of felt like the rug was just swept from under my feet,” they said. “But, this is absolutely the right thing to do for the show. I just want to be as transparent as humanly possible … I feel really, really devastated.”
The tearful Madge said that bringing the show to Broadway was “really tough,” and that they put themself under immense pressure to succeed throughout the transition. “The climate for theater [on Broadway] is so difficult, and when people would say to me, ‘Are you excited for Broadway’ … in the back of my mind, I’ve been going, ‘Oh, I’m much more apprehensive and scared at the pressure that comes with it,'” they said. “My worst fears have, essentially, come true — but not really, because there is a real aim to get this on next season, which I’m excited for. It’s not the right time now. What’s meant for you will not pass you by, and I’m very sorry to have disappointed anybody that might have wanted to come and watch it.”
My Son’s a Queer, which premiered in London’s West End in October 2022, centers around Madge’s childhood, with the performer using a mix of musical numbers, costumes and home videos to talk about their experience growing up queer and non-binary, and their parents’ journey to acceptance.
According to producers, the show would have been the first production in Broadway’s history to put the word “queer” on a marquee. At a press event in January, Madge told Billboard that they were excited to be the person making history with the word. “People are so terrified of that word these days, and it’s always been the term used for the LGBTQ+ community,” they said. “I think if people are scared of it, they should come watch [the show], because it’s not a scary word. It purely stands in for joy and authenticity, in my eyes.”
The production previously teamed up with Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, agreeing to host activations for the non-profit at the theater and online surrounding mental health in young people as well as community engagement.
See the show’s official announcement and Rob Madge’s Instagram video below:
Stephen Daw
Billboard
