MORMON BOY

"An uncommonly powerful, gripping, and very moving piece of theatre. It’s unusually well-written and shaped. And, onstage, Fales is both provocative and intensely empathetic."

—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune 

“Wrenchingly honest, hilariously jubilant and utterly clear-eyed, Steven Fales’ autobiographical testimony is an exceptional achievement to rank beside the best of the solo genre."

—David Nichols, Los Angeles Times

"Fales is such a perceptive writer. An enormously appealing performer, his struggle to make his life cohere is as moving as it is funny." 

—Howard Kissel, New York Daily News

"Fales, personable and sexy, makes the tale easy to take, a sort of story hour for grow-up children, telling a quintessentially American once-upon-a-time of sexual identity crisis and selfhood.”  

—Michael Feingold, Village Voice

"Fales retains an astonishing generosity of spirit. He bares his soul. And, even if that soul is one that his church has condemned, it still feels like a sacred gift.”

—Louise Kennedy, Boston Globe

“An eye for absurdity can take you a long way: The work of the engaging solo performer Steven Fales is a case in point. A keen sense of the ridiculous—displayed in telling narrative details, some droll characterizations, and a wealth of verbal zingers—leavens his powerful Mormon Boy. A rare artistic commodity: a stand-up-comedy-infused autobiographical epic containing chapter after chapter of absorbing spiritual and personal crisis, sly cultural commentary, and humor.”

—Celia Wren, Washington Post

"Compelling confessional theater. Fales knows how to sell it."

—Jason Zinnoman, New York Times

"It all leads up to a moment of vulnerability so simple and powerful it suggests a kind of grace. All is forgiven with his final breathtaking, self-revelatory gesture. Fales describes his work as ‘ultimately a prayer’, and at that moment, Mormon Boy makes you want to say ‘amen’.”

—Janice Stienberg, San Diego Union-Tribune

“Fales is taking audiences with him on a pendulum swing, from uncomfortable piety to uncontrolled sensuality, and finally to the stillness and peace of finding his authentic self. Honest, moving, whimsical, sobering, tender, and cathartic."

—Christine Dolen, Miami Herald  

“A brave, bold, brightly-shining masterpiece. Unforgettable.”

—Buzz Belmont, Houston Chronicle

“Mormon Boy is a riveting night of theater. Grounded in the specifics of his own colorful life, it transcends personal revelation by inviting the audience to consider larger issues—the costs of authenticity in a rigid and stratified world. He is a playwright whose work displays great moral courage and daring.”

—Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way

"Mr. Fales is a master at his craft. His work is timely and of utmost importance in these days of religious-based intolerance."

—Leslie Jordan, Emmy Award Winner 

"The best coming-of-age, grappling-with-being piece I've seen since Dan Butler's, and you know there have been a thousand of them ever since his. It's really good. This needs to be filmed."

—Bruce Vilanch, Six-time Emmy Award Winner

“Steven’s one-man show is a combination of an incredibly emotional and heart-wrenching story, a powerfully written and nuanced script, and a knock-it-out-of-the-ballpark performance. Confronting the ‘demons’ within, and seemingly around him, and ending up such an inspiring example of true self-respect and authenticity left me deeply touched and equally inspired.”

—Judith Light, Two-time Tony Award Winner

"When one can be so moved as to laugh till your jaw hurts, wince with a sorry recognition at the pain distorted religion can inflict, cheer with unashamed abandon at an enviable and inspiring bravery so rarely expressed in the face of certain banishment and ridicule, you know you have had a thrilling and emotionally fulfilling theatrical experience. Bravo, Steven Fales and his Mormon Boy!"

—Lucie Arnaz, Tony Award Nominee

"As someone who knew Steven at 18 years old, since our freshman year in college, I was overwhelmed in witnessing my friend's journey. It is no easy thing to live in authenticity and it takes enormous strength to look in the mirror and be honest with oneself. Confessions of a Mormon Boy transcends it's singularity with universal themes we can all relate to in our individual search for truth and meaning."

—Jennifer Simard, Two-time Tony Award Nominee 

Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination

New York Artie Award

Overall Excellence Award, FringeNYC

Lambda Literary Award Finalist

Oscar Wilde Award Nomination, Outstanding New Writing for the Theatre

Among others.

SoHo Playhouse, Off-Broadway

Mitzi Newhouse Theatre, Lincoln Center

Charing Cross Theatre, London

Coast Playhouse, Los Angeles

Bay Street Theater

Coconut Grove Playhouse

Boston Theatreworks

Connecticut Repertory Theatre

Houston TheatreLab

Diversionary Theatre, San Diego

Among others.

National Arts Festival, South Africa

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

New York International Fringe Festival

Dublin International Gay Theatre Festival

Sydney Mardis Gras Festival

Atlantic Fringe Festival, Halifax

Midsumma Festival, Melbourne

Among others.

Originally directed by Tony Award Winner Jack Hofsiss (The Elephant Man).

Began as a five-minute standup routine at Caroline's On Broadway and then a formal staged reading at the Sunstone Symposium in Salt Lake City.

The world premiere was in Salt Lake Ctiy and became a sold-out sensation.