The Big Gay Musical

The Big Gay Musical lays on the 'issues' thicker than Andrew Lloyd Webber lays on dodgy key changes.

First, we have the eternal struggle between homosexuality and Church. The movie follows the progress of an off-Broadway anti-evangelical musical entitled: Adam and Steve, Just the Way God Made 'Em'. Its a review show, which begins with an alternate take on the creation story, in which God decides to follow up the 'failure' of Adam and Eve with Adam (Daniel Robinson) and Steve (Joey Dudding). Although the cast is densely populated by openly gay Muscle Marys, there's always one. And this one is a gay from a family of middle American creationists.

Among the turmoil, one character has unsafe sex. Another, who previously prided himself on being coy and reserved, starts hooking up with guys in saunas, bars and on the internet. There's a bit of private 'massage'. And there's a lot of talk about the psychology of of what men do in bed with each other.

It's a bargain-basement soap opera, with musical numbers. The songs are the best bit about it, mind. Sondheim can probably breathe a sigh of relief, but these numbers are colourful and fun. Unfortunately, everything surrounding it is a little bit wishy-washy. Although the issues dealt with are very real, the wanton use of cliché paints everything in pedestrian pastel shades.

But like any soap opera worth its salt, its melodrama and black and white moralism is faintly absorbing. And, like any half-decent musical, you'll end up enjoying yourself regardless.