The Nance

The Edge Theater
1560 Teller Street Lakewood

This critically acclaimed stage drama delves into the life of Chauncey Miles, a gay burlesque comic in 1937 New York. Full of comedic burlesque performances, the equally raucous and poignant show contrasts Mills' acceptance for his hilarious onstage antics as "the nance," a stereotypically effeminate homosexual character, with his difficult existence offstage as an aging man looking for love and acceptance. -- Hailed as "a bold, brave play" by Backstage, The Edge Theater presents Douglas Carter Beane's The Nance, bringing new life to a time when it was easy to play gay onstage, but dangerous to be gay offstage.