The Boys in the Band
A birthday party with your friends that descends into madness? That sounds familiar. But having it be centered around a group of gay men and premiering Off-Broadway in 1968? That is groundbreaking.
With its first Broadway production in 2018, The Boys in the Band follows Harold (Zachary Quinto) is having his birthday celebrated with his frenemy Michael (Jim Parsons) hosting the event. Surrounded by friends, the energy of the party shifts when Michael’s married college roommate Alan (Brian Hutchinson) arrives, and a catty game is introduced.
One of the reasons the Broadway production was once again groundbreaking is because each of the men were played by openly gay actors. In addition to Quinto, Parson and Hutchinson, the play also featured Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells, Charlie Carver, Michael Benjamin Washington, Robin de Jesús and Tuc Watkins.
If you missed this onstage, no need to worry. Ryan Murphy directed a film adaptation of the play for Netflix, which starred the same cast from Broadway.
