BOY a New Play about Nature v. Nature Based on a Real Case

The debate over what takes credence, genetics v. environmental conditioning have long intrigued the scientific & pscychological worlds.  BOY is a brilliant & compassionate new play by Anna Ziegler (Photograph 51) that addresses this debate.  As in Photograph 51 starring Nicole Kidman in London, Ziegler writes about real individuals whose lives have significantly impacted scientific knowledge.  More importantly, her intelligent & poignant plays are reminders to register joy & beauty in our lives.  BOY is performed with flashbacks (dates/names are clarified.)  The story focuses on Adam/Samantha, born as a boy with an identical twin in the 1960's.  A botched circumcision eviscerates the penis of one twin.  The distraught parents turn to a renown psychiatrist for guidance.  He advises them to raise the disfigured child as a girl with follow-up surgeries & hormone treatments.  The Dr warns them to withhold the truth of the boy's birth gender.  He convinces the parents to permit him to continuously consult with the child (gratis.)   Adam/  Samantha is played by  B'wy veteran Bobby Steggert (Mothers & Sons.)  Steggert portrays the male/female role at different ages with stealth, credibility & heart.  The play begins on Halloween when Adam is 23.  He is wearing a Frankenstein mask while flirting with an attractive female dressed as a playboy.  "Everyone has to dress as someone," she tells Adam.  Ziegler writes eloquently.  Her literary references to Shelly's novel & Milton's poem speak volumes.  "We are unfashioned creatures, but 1/2 made up."  (M Shelly)  The Dr may is self-serving ingratiating himself with Samantha but his attentive ear prove invaluable.  BOY arouses deep empathy & compassion for the struggles of transgender individuals.  I was moved and inspired by this illuminating show seen on  Theater Row.  "My heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and sympathy." (Milton)