The Boys in the Band Tickets

The Boys in the Band – Joe Mantello Shakes Off the Dust

50 years since it last staged in theaters, writer Mart Crowley’s iconic comic drama is once again making waves in New York City. Centered on the Manhattan gay life, The Boys in the Band is a groundbreaking effort that provides an honest, cut-throat portrayal of modern homosexuals.

Set in a posh, Upper East Side New York apartment, Michael played by Jim Parsons, invites few of his homosexual friends to celebrate the birthday of their Jewish friend Harold, whose role is essayed by Zachary Quinto. The other party guests include Michael’s ex Donald (Matt Bomer), the couple Larry and Hank (Andrew Rannells and Tuc Watkins, respectively), along with Bernard (Michael Benjamin Washington) and Emory (Robin de Jesús). ‘Cowboy’, the sexy hunk with drop-dead gorgeous body, played by Charlie Carver, was hired as a birthday present for Harold.

Alan (Brian Hutchison) is the only straight guy in the party, who though makes an unexpected entry and causes quite a stir among the other guests.

Director Joe Mantello, also gay, roped in an all-star cast of actors who came out of the closet publicly, adding piercing credibility to the plot. Trimmed down to a single act production with no intermission, The Boys in the Band Broadway run opened with a bang and is still unstoppable at the box office.

The Critics Report Card

The Boys in the Band held its preview on April 30 at the Broadway’s Booth Theatre to a full house. The original version ran for three years and Boys in the Band tour was also received well by the theatergoers.

The revival comes as an immersive, intimate experience mostly due to the 700-seat capacity of the Booth Theatre. Seated in the audience, it gives the illusion that you are in the same room as the cast and in close proximity to the talented men who will make you laugh and cry with their inner demons. The deliberate decision of a one-set apartment allows the director to put emphasis on the mounting tension in the room as the evening goes from being celebratory to caustic and eventually revealing.

Joe Mantello has been lauded for his efforts as the critic Tim Teeman from Daily Beast called it an exhilarating production that brings back the story in a respectful, intelligent and wonderful manner. The scenic design and costumes are also at par with the talented cast, acting and the heartbreaking story.

Sara Holdren from Vulture was all praise for the actors, stating that Bomer, Parsons, Quinto, Robin de Jesús and Washington, each beautifully brought out the feelings of liveliness and pain to the stage.

The 50^th anniversary of The Boys in the Band is a fitting example of how times have changed and the rollercoaster journey the play has been a part of. Back in 1968, during the original production, it was difficult to find actors who would willingly play a homosexual character. Today, The Boys in the Band only casted those actors who had openly declared themselves as gay. Though a revival, the play definitely has a lot of new and fresh things to offer.

Expected to run for 15 weeks, Boys in the Band tickets should be on your must-buy list. Don’t miss out on a bitingly humorous, unapologetic and a heartbreaking comic drama.