Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells, Tuc Watkins, and the rest of the cast of the upcoming Broadway production of Matt Crowley’s The Boys in the Band got together for a photo shoot and shot a featurette talking about the play’s significance and what it means today.
From the producers about the play:
“The significance of The Boys in the Band cannot be underestimated. In 1968, Mart Crowley made theatrical history by giving voice to gay men onstage, in this uncompromising, blisteringly honest, and wickedly funny play,” said Ryan Murphy. “The play was groundbreaking in its exploration of how gay men treated each other and how they were made to feel about themselves. And while some attitudes have thankfully shifted, it’s important to be reminded of what we have overcome and how much further we still have to go.”
David Stone adds, “Everything has changed. And nothing has changed.”
Tickets for the 15-week revival are on sale now via Telecharge
Matt Crowley’s groundbreaking 1968 play”The Boys in the Band” will be revived for a limited Broadway engagement for it’s 50th Anniversary and will bedirected by two-time Tony winner Joe Mantello. and starring five openly gay actors: Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Matt Bomer, and Tuc Watkins.
The cast will also include Tony nominee Robin De Jesús as Emory, Brian Hutchison as Alan, and Michael Benjamin Washington as Bernard. The role of Cowboy remains to be cast.
Not to spoil the 50 year old plot line but in The Boys in the Band, an affluent, thirty-year-old gay man named Michael has invited a number of his homosexual friends to his stylish New York City apartment for a birthday party honoring their gay Jewish friend, Harold. The group includes Donald; Michael’s present lover; Emory, a portrait of the effeminate gay stereotype; Hank, once married and the father of two children but now living with Larry; Bernard, a gay black man; and a male prostitute who is Emory’s birthday gift to Harold. Michael’s former college friend, Alan, who is married and hostile toward homosexuals, crashes this party. Alan soon recognizes the stereotypical Emory as a homosexual, is offended by his behavior, and punches him; however, Alan is later surprised to discover that the others also are gay, especially Hank, who Alan thinks is heterosexual. The action of the play culminates in a party game that Michael designs; each guest must telephone the one person he truly believes he has loved and confess his deepest feelings. Michael intends for this game to reveal Alan’s latent homosexuality, but Alan’s telephone call goes to his wife. The play ends with Harold characterizing Michael as a gay man consumed by self-loathing.
The production marks The Boys in the Band’s Broadway premiere. Originally scheduled to run for five performances at a small Off-Broadway venue, the play became an overnight sensation, and—after transferring to a bigger theatre—ran for over 1,000 performances. The show went on to have an acclaimed run in London and was adapted into a film by William Friedkin in 1970. But it never played on Broadway.
The TBITB is scheduled to play the Booth Theatre April 30–August 12, 2018.
The production is being produced by Ryan Murphy and veteran Broadway producer David Stone.
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Upcoming Bob Newhart Tour Date Change — Bob will not be performing at the Legatus Summit in Orlando FL on February 6th, 2014
A number of bloggers and activists expressed their shock that Newhart–who won his first Emmy this year playing opposite openly gay Jim Parsons on Big Bang Theory–would headline the Legatus Summit which will also showcase Rick Santorum and the Catholic League’s William Donohue. It’s pretty clear where the ever-frothy Rick Santorum and Donohue stand on LGBT issues–and Legatus? Writing for GLAAD, Jeremey Hooper said:
Legatus pushes the idea that homosexuality itself is a “disorder” from which one must be “cured.”
Thank you, Bob Newhart for realizing some groups (even religious ones) have darker agendas and want to use celebrities to further bigotry, discrimination and hate. And thank you for looking and listening to your fans, gay and straight, who believe in you!
Jim Parsons, known for his uber nerd persona Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory took to the stage to work the wildly sucessful cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show. Showing off some leg and a lot of attitude Parsons seems to completely transform in front of thee audience. Here’s more:
Parsons, who nabbed Emmy Awards in 2010 and 2011 for his turn as the geeky Sheldon Cooper on “Theory,” played the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the 21st annual “A Night at Sardi’s” event in Hollywood. Proceeds from the event reportedly benefitted the Alzheimer’s Association, according to Just Jared.
Joining Parsons onstage for the performance were co-stars Kaley Cuoco, Mayim Bialik and Johnny Galecki, as well as “Wings” actor Steven Weber.
Parsons’ sexuality was confirmed in a New York Times article last year. Of the 39-year-old actor, who was then starring on Broadway in a revival of “Harvey,” writer Patrick Healy noted, “Mr. Parsons is gay and in a 10-year relationship.”
