The Boys In The Band

The Boys In the Band is playing at the Booth Theatre located at 222 West 45th Street. It runs one hour forty minutes with no intermission. The play closes on August 12, 2018.

The play premiered off Broadway at Theater Four on April 14, 1968 and closed on September 6, 1970 after 1001 performances. It was revived off Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre from August 6, 1996 to October 20, 1999.

Joe Mantello is the director. He won two Tony Awards for Assassins (2004) and Take Me Out (2003) and was nominated for six Tony Awards for Three Tall Women (2018), The Humans (2016), The Normal Heart (2011), Glengarry Glen Ross (2005), Love! Valour! Compassion (1995) and Angels in America: Millennium Approaches (1993).

David Zinn is the scenic designer. He won a Tony Award for The Humans (2016) and was nominated for four Tony Awards for A Doll’s House Part 2 (2017) Airline Highway (2015), Fun Home (2014), In the Next Room (or The vibrator Play 2010).

Jim Parsons is known for his role as Sheldon Cooper in CBS sitcom The Big Theory. He made his Broadway debut in 2011 in The Normal Heart. Jim received a Drama Desk nomination for this role.

Andrew Rannells was nominated for two Tony Awards for Falsettos (2017) and The Book of Mormon (2011).

Robin de Jesus was nominated for two Tony Awards for La Cage Aux Folles (2010) and In the Heights (2008).

The time is April 1968.

Michael (Jim Parsons) is fusing around his apartment. He is upset about something.

Donald (Matt Bomer) comes into the apartment upset. His analyst has canceled their appointment. He’s hot and sweaty and goes upstairs to take a shower before he goes home. They are a couple. Michael asks if he will stay, he’s having a birthday party for Harold (Zachary Quinto).

Michael is getting calls from his college roommate Alan (Brian Hutchison). Alan is upset and wants to come over and talk. Michaels reluctant because Alan doesn’t know he is gay. But he invites him over hoping he will be gone when his friends come.

Larry arrives (Andrew Rannells) along with Hank (Tuc Watkins), Bernard (Michael Benjamin Washington), and Emory (Robin de Jesus). Michael tell’s’ them when Alan arrives not to tell him he is gay.

In the meantime The Cowboy (Charles Carver) arrives. He sings Happy Birthday to Larry and kisses him. Emory who acts feminine hired The Cowboy for Harold birthday present.

Hank was married and in the process of getting a divorce. Larry is his love. But Larry say’s he can’t commit to one person.

Emery and Bernard are together. Though no one knows Bernard is gay.

The final person to show up is Harold.

Things heat up between the men.

Michael decides they will play a game. Each person is to call up someone they love who doesn’t know it. Points are given, 1. they make the call, 2. if they tell them who they are and finally if they tell them they love them.

Hank and Larry go upstairs to the bedroom.

The guests leave. Michael and Donald are in the living when he tells him he is going to Midnight mass. He is in turmoil about being gay.

Joe Montello direction was banner. He brought out the best in each actor. The cast does an incredible performance. Jim Parsons, Robin de Jesus, Zachary Quinto and Tuc Watkins did an impressive job.

David Zinn did a remarkable job with the set and costume design.

This is a must see play.

Review by Rozanna Radakovich.

To read a candid interview with the cast, scroll down to the left for photos Click on photos for this and other shows.