Overview
Synopsis
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.
Show Information
- Book
- Mart Crowley
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1968
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- Michael’s apartment in New York City. Late 1960s.
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- Samuel French
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, All-Male Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Mart Crowley began writing The Boys in the Band during his time as film star Natalie Wood’s personal assistant. During his time in Hollywood, both working for Wood and housesitting for friends, Crowley felt himself growing more and more angry at the injustices faced by himself and his other homosexual friends at the time. In writing the play, he depicted these injustices simply and directly, as experienced by the group of friends gathering to celebrate a birthday. Crowley saw the character
to read the context for The Boys in the Band and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
[Editor’s note: this play contains dialogue that is potentially offensive or triggering.]
ACT ONE
Michael is finishing final preparations for the birthday party he’ll be hosting later in the evening for his friend, Harold. He lives in a trendy two-floor apartment in the East 50s of Manhattan, though he cannot afford it and is living in debt. He is joined by Donald, an old friend and long-term lover, who has recently moved to Long Island. Donald, who struggles with depression, has
to read the plot for The Boys in the Band and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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