Love Is Love!
A musical by Clay Callaway
Based on true events, Love Is Love! is a heartfelt, musical comedy set in 1990. Tommy, a lovelorn 28-year-old gay man, who’s just unexpectedly come out to his mother during a family ski vacation, has his West Hollywood lifestyle uprooted when a fire destroys his apartment building, ironically during a ‘housewarming’ party. He’s instantly homeless. Meanwhile, in Tommy’s home town in south Arkansas, Ty is fresh out of jewelry school, stuck at home and seeking friendlier shores.
After deciding to return to his conservative southern hometown for the summer, Tommy takes on the role of directing Guys & Dolls at the local community theater. Along the way, he hopes he can restore his relationship with his folks before returning to LA to rebuild his life. What he doesn’t anticipate is falling for Ty, a closeted young man who feels trapped in his small-town, and is questioning his very existence.
Tommy navigates the challenges of his relationship with his own parents while directing the musical with very minimal resources. He also finds himself drawn to Ty, who is torn between his true self and the expectations of his family and community. Finding a common, but unshared history, a bond is formed and soon forged. Their secret romance unfolds amidst a colorful cast of nosey characters, including Tommy’s pragmatic yet overbearing mother, Pat; Ty’s devout and controlling mother, Janeene; and a host of quirky community members who bring both drama and comedy to this modern day musical love story.
Ty struggles with internalized shame and fear, compounded by his best friend Leah divorcing and soon leaving, and the overbearing religious community in his small town. As rehearsals progress, so does Tommy and Ty’s relationship, though secrecy and fear threaten to pull them apart. Fear ultimately wins the day and Ty breaks it off by the end of Act One.
Act Two brings the story full circle after some revelations into Ty’s family history, parental expectations, a final good bye, and a personal epiphany, Tommy’s reconciliation with his mom and finally Ty’s self-acceptance and reunion with Tommy.
The musical also weaves in themes of family acceptance, self-discovery, and the evolving dynamics of friendships and romantic connections. The original score of 20 songs is as dynamic as its characters, featuring comedic numbers, heartfelt ballads, and energetic ensemble pieces that reflect the emotional highs and lows of the journey. By the climax, the characters are forced to confront their truths—some embracing change, others resisting it—reinforcing the central theme that underscores the message: love, in all its forms, is valid, transformative, and worth fighting for.
Ultimately, Love Is Love! is a poignant, funny, and deeply moving exploration of love, identity, and the courage to be oneself in a world that doesn’t always understand. It is a celebration of authenticity, resilience, and the universal truth that Love Is Love! and transcends all boundaries.
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