Cast of “The Boys in the Band”
Open Stage closes out its 40th season by transporting us to an Upper East Side Manhattan apartment with a production of “The Boys in the Band.”
The show is a vignette of the lives of a group of gay men at a time when gayness was not spoken of out loud. From sharp-tongued wit to profound displays of vulnerability, this classic is the perfect piece to end a milestone season at Open Stage.
“The Boys in the Band” takes place over the course of one evening when a group of six friends gathers for a birthday party. As the drinks roll in, the volume escalates, and a few unexpected guests arrive to stir things up, as each man is forced to confront uncomfortable truths. They are forced to reckon with relationships, old grudges and the social consequences of being gay in the 1960s.
“Open Stage has always been dedicated to telling stories that are outside the mainstream,” said Director Stuart Landon. “In an industry that is full of queer people, it is important that we make sure to tell queer stories, new ones and classic ones, and make sure that we’re lifting up those voices and those stories as often as we can, even if they’re uncomfortable.”
Written by Mark Crowley and shown off-Broadway in 1968, this is the first major play to bring gay men to center stage and proudly present queer life. The characters are each fully realized, with distinct personalities ranging from clever and unapologetic to darling and ditzy, at a time when gay men were portrayed as either villains or peripheral characters.
“The first time that I read this play, I was like, ‘Oh, this is how me and my friends talk,’” said TJ Creedon, who portrays Michael. “It’s so funny how much Crowley’s finger was on the pulse and still remains on the pulse 50-plus years later.”
The show was groundbreaking after its release, closing out in 1970 with 1,001 performances. It has inspired two feature films, a sequel, and was revived on Broadway in 2018 for its 50th anniversary.
The production features set design by Kalina Barrett, costumes by Jacob Schlenker, with Stacy Reck serving as production stage manager, and Chris Krahulec and Evelyn Dorman as assistant stage managers. Tristan Stasiulis serves as lighting designer, Rachel Landon as prop master, and Anthony Pieruccini as sound designer.
The ensemble cast features Brad Barkdoll (Cowboy), Calian Byard (Emory), TJ Creedon (Michael), Joshua Dorsheimer (Harold), Joseph Chubb (Hank), Zach Haines (Donald), Marcus McGhee (Bernard), Cory Metcalf (Larry), Jason Samarin (Alan), with swing understudies Ethan Hommel and Malcolm Xtra.
This production is directed by Open Stage’s very own producing artistic director, Stuart Landon.
“The Boys in the Band” is a landmark American play that helped show the world a different side of life. It is funny, it is smart, it is human, and it is still relevant nearly six decades after it was written. The artists at Open Stage are dedicated to bringing this iconic piece to life, and to see it would be to witness a piece of history.
“The Boys in the Band” runs May 23 to June 13 at Open Stage, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg. For tickets and more information, visit www.openstagehbg.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS
At Gamut Theatre
www.gamuttheatre.org
717-238-4111
Popcorn Hat Players
“Aesop’s Fables”
May 6 to 23
TMI Improv
Comedy Show
May 22 at 7:30 p.m.
At Open Stage
www.openstagehbg.com
717-232-6736
EFF Live!
A naughty night of theatrical hilarity
Court Street Cabaret
Saturday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m.
BaRPG
Dungeons, drinks and dice
Court Street Cabaret
Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m.
“The Boys in the Band”
Groundbreaking queer drama with depth and wit
Main Stage
Begins May 23
Court Street Cabaret
Song and community at its finest
Court Street Cabaret
Sunday, May 24 at 6 p.m.
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!
