Via THR: The Boys in the Band is heading where it belonged all along — to Broadway.
Mart Crowley's legendary 1968 show has long polarized gay men since it's about a group of gay guys tearing each other to shreds which, obviously, is soooo far from the truth.
Speaking of obvious, it will be directed by Joe Mantello and produced by Ryan Murphy, who of late has been like a gay kid in a gay candy store, revitalizing all things past and casting fun, sexy, gay-and-otherwise actors in juicy roles in can't-miss projects ...
More seriously, The Boys in the Band is one of my favorite plays, I love the movie and I'm excited by the casting: Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells, Robin de Jesus, Brian Hutchison, Michael Benjamin Washington and Tuc Watkins. Oddly, the sexy cowboy hustler has yet to be cast (I bet it's Garrett Clayton, unless they go all out and lure Zac Efron). So who do you think will play each part? Let's see:
Harold: I think Quinto will opt for “the ugly, pock-marked Jew fairy,” but good luck with the physical part; it's either him or Parsons
Michael: Michael is really the star, and the everyman, until he becomes a pathetic puddle — Parsons would be perfect (or Quinto in a pinch)
Alan: Matt Bomer has to be the crush who crashes the party
Donald: I think I want Rannells for him
Bernard: Michael Benjamin Washington, a given since the character is black and his race is essential to the role
Emory: I'm betting they task de Jesus with the flamboyant queen role/scene-stealer/Tony winner
Larry: The sexpot is gonna be Tuc Watkins
Hank: The uptight boyfriend of Larry will be Hutchison
P.S. Ryan Murphy says in a statement:
The significance of The Boys in the Band cannot be underestimated. Mart Crowley made history by giving voice to gay men onstage, in this uncompromising, blisteringly honest, and wickedly funny play. 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.
The play has a limited, 15-week engagement at the Booth Theatre beginning April 30. It won't be up for Tony consideration until 2019.
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