The Band Plays: The Boys in the Band and its Sequel The Men from the Boys

by Mart Crowley

After more than thirty years, the characters from Mart Crowley's 1968 breakthrough drama, The Boys in the Band retook the stage in The Men from The Boys . The famous circle of gay friends (minus one) assemble again in Michael's New York penthouse, this time for a memorial. Keenly observant, unabashedly bitchy, hilarious, and honest as it's predecessor, the sequel and the original, as presented in this volume, provide a then and now look at gay lives from Stonewall to today. Mart Crowley is the author of five plays, including Boys in the Band which was made into the 1970 film of the same name. He is also the author of several screenplays for television and was the producer of the TV series Hart to Hart .

Genres: Plays

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Claire Gratto · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boys In The Band has been a favorite of mine for many years so it was fascinating to revisit these characters with the sequel. The sequel provides a fascinating narrative on generational queerness along with the impact of alcoholism within lgbt+ circles. Will likely revisit.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how many times I've watched The Boys in the Band on Netflix, but imagine my delight that a sequel was written! And it's very good!! I hope I get the chance to see it performed.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've recently went to a performance of The Boys In The Band so I wanted to read the script. I was pleasantly surprised to learn of a sequel.

The Boys In The Band was groundbreaking. It was playing before the Stonewall Riots. It's dated and the portrayal of gay men is an indication of that pre-liberation thinking. But there's one portrayal that, sadly, is still spot on. Michael is a self loathing person trying to reconcile his homosexuality with his Christianity. Here, in 2015, there are still gay guys who think that they can either be gay or have God in their life but not both.

The Men From The Boys is the sequel play. The boys are still together and they've gathered together to honor one of their fallen. Cowboy has been replaced by 3 younger studs and their job is to make the audience aware that the gay rights movement couldn't have began without the previous generation because, like Emory says, "before there were marches there was a band".

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admit it: I sort of love The Boys in the Band entirely for Donald.

BERNARD: Donald, read any new libraries lately?
DONALD: One or three. I did the complete works of Doris Lessing this week. I've been depressed.
[. . .]
BERNARD: Some people eat, some people drink, some take dope...
DONALD: I read.