Emory, Larry, Hank, Bernard, and Donald all gather at Michael’s apartment to celebrate their friend, Harold’s, birthday. Michael didn’t plan, though, for the unexpected arrival of Alan, his friend from college. Alan has no idea that Michael nor any of his friends are gay, Michael never having come out of the closet to him. As the drinks keep coming, the fun soon takes a nasty turn as secrets are revealed, arguments are unearthed, and blows are thrown, culminating in a shocking drunken phone “game” that may ruin more than one life. The Boys in the Band was a groundbreaking piece of theatre when it premiered in 1968, with playwright Mart Crowley depicting gay men’s lives on stage with honesty, truth, and no apologies. Half a century later, the play proves to be as entertaining, bold, and inspiring as ever.
The Boys in the Band guide sections
