The Nance, Douglas Carter Beane’s new play, is
a lively portrayal of the social, sexual and political turmoil of 1930s New
York City. Burlesque is in its heyday, verging on family
entertainment (albeit with a PG-13 rating). In presenting a burlesque troupe facing immorality charges, Beane shows a time of relative
permissiveness and tumult that flowered in the years before World War
II.
Chauncey
Miles (Nathan Lane) is a popular comedian who we meet cruising at a local automat. His interest is piqued when Ned, a
handsome, starving young newcomer pours catsup into a cup of hot water. Ned
becomes our proxy as Chauncey teaches him important shibboleths of his worlds. He
explains the rules of camp and cruising, how to stay under the radar of the law, the distinction between pansies and
trade, and after an unsuccessful attempt to end their one-night-stand, introduces Ned to his burlesque family.