Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
This book may be called Will Grayson, Will Grayson, but it's definitely about Tiny Cooper in a lot of ways. And that's why the musical version of his life story takes center stage in the plot.
Tiny started working on this show—originally called Tiny Dancer—years ago. As Will explains:
"Oh. My. Sweet. Holy. God," I say, because Tiny Dancer is this musical, written by Tiny. It's basically Tiny's slightly fictionalized life story, except it is sung, and it is—I mean, I don't use this adjective lightly—the gayest single musical in all of human history. Which is really saying something. And by gay, I don't mean that it sucks. I just mean that it's gay. It is actually—as musicals go—quite good. The songs are catchy. I'm particularly fond of "The Nosetackle (Likes Tight Ends)," which includes the memorable couplet, "The locker room isn't porn for me / 'cause you're all too damned pimple-ey." (3.9)
Okay, so clearly Will isn't too thrilled by this show. Tiny makes things worse by naming one of the main characters Gil Wrayson. Even though Tiny swears that "Gil Wrayson isn't [Will]; he's a fictional character" (5.53), Will isn't looking forward to the humiliation that he's certain will befall all of them all on opening night.
But the show is surprisingly good. And it's sort of a mirror for the ways that the various characters change and grow throughout the story. Tiny changes the focus of the play from himself to love in order to make it work better as a piece of art. And he's right—as amazing as he is, Tiny's life story can't be just about him. It has to be about something way bigger, like his love for "Phil Wrayson." Wink, wink.
Will's reaction to the play also shows us just how uptight and uncomfortable with feelings he is. Sure, he's cool with Tiny creating the play, but to stage it and show the whole world what you're thinking and feeling and going through? Well, that violates all Will's rules about shutting up and not caring. In the end, though, Will realizes how much he loves Tiny Cooper and how much he loves the play he made.
Even will grayson is pretty awed by the fact that Tiny is brave enough to sing about his life in front of strangers. When will is feeling down about Isaac, Tiny sings him a song. In the middle of the street. Right after meeting him. Does it seem a little crazy? Absolutely. But it also takes will's mind off his problems. will is never going to be like Tiny, but if Tiny can belt out a song telling the world how he feels, will can open up to his mom and his friends about who he is, too.
The entire book ends with the staging of Hold Me Closer and the big moment when everyone comes together to love and appreciate the heck out of each other. Tiny's mission was to change the world and inspire people, and given the love fest that the performance ends with, we'd say he succeeded. With both Will Graysons participating, it's clear they've both stopped being so closed-off and have dared to let themselves love a bit, too.