Blocked By The Boys In The Band - Now Planning Peaceful Opening Night Protest — Page 3

Matthew, the original poster, is obviously a lonely person based on his desire to air all of his emotional issued on a public website where he hopes to draw attention to himself. Maybe if everyone ignores him (which is highly likely what everyone who sees him protesting on opening night will do) he will stop posting to strangers and find a live person that he share his thoughts with in real life.

Kad said: "...I have a lot of issues with RyanMurphy and how works produced or created by him are superficial in their claims to progressiveness, often wanting to score the woke points while leaning on stereotypes."

Thank you for articulating what I've been trying to for years in regards to Ryan Murphy.

GeorgeandDot said: "ArtMan, he's about 26, so when he was growing up, those shows weren't even on. It's much better today, but there are still problems."

Please. I am 45 years old, and there were NO gay people on TV save for Jody from Soap when I was growing up, and I am doing just fine.

GeorgeandDot said: "ArtMan, he's about 26, so when he was growing up, those shows weren't even on. It's much better today, but there are still problems."

GeorgeandDot, Four of the shows I mentioned are currently on the air. True Blood and How I Met Your Mother ended their run in 2014. The other two ended their run earlier, but have been in reruns for years. At about 26, he should be aware of these and other shows/characters.

VintageSnarker said: "Matthew C Paessler said:I am thankful for the inclusion of both Robin deJesusand Michael BenjamimWashington. I would have also liked to see an Asian actor, an overweight actor, a tan actor - what I'm getting at is I'd like to see diversity represented in the gay community just as it's represented in the straight community."

First of all, there are diversity problems for the majority of productions regardless of sexual orientation. Secondly, I think you're overestimating the reach of one small play in New York as a major influence and display of thelack of visibility. Thirdly, why this play? Why not protest Casa Valentina, Torch Song, Kid Victory, Afterglow, Naked Boys Singing, etc.? The only recent show I can think of that you'd be happy with is The View Upstairs."



I understand what you're saying and I think it's important for me to clarify my point and your question of why THIS play. I'm disappointed in the marketing of this particular production - I have no issue with the play itself. Ryan Murphy says at the start of the first promo video that this current production is going to "bang down the doors and show people who we really are." He says all of that in the present tense. He doesn't mention that this is a museum piece and they're trying to remind people of what it was like. (Robin DeJesus later in the video does.)

My issue is that these group of actors are saying that this is representative of the gay community without any caveats of "in 1960." Because of that - I think this message is dangerous.

If they had left all of those words out of their marketing and just mentioned that this is the 50th anniversary and they wanted to remember the history this play made - then I honestly wouldn't have had an issue. After speaking out about seeing a lack of diversity and then being completely blocked on all social media by the production makes me feel as if maybe it's an issue they're aware of.

I had a friend in Naked Boys Singing and lack of diversity never even entered my mind. (My friend is black.) The production doesn't claim to speak for the community. It knows what it is. I feel like if this production team wants to speak for me - they just should represent the entire diverse face of the gay community. If the production just wanted to put on The Boys in the Band, then I wish they would have left it at that.

I know some people just want to enjoy things and just say it's a play and that's the way it is. But that's not how this production is being presented. It's being treated as a political statement and I'm treating it as such.

At the end of the day, I don't know how much of an effect a play on Broadway is going to have, but one of the reasons I shared my personal anecdote of getting a playbill in the mail at ten (and discovering my own sexuality) I hoped to shed a light on just how far-reaching and visible Broadway can be.

Updated On: 2/1/18 at 07:39 AM

theatregoer3 said: "I think the OP should write, direct, or produce something that reflects his view of the gay community. Instead of tearing something down, build something up. Create your vision and put it out into the world. That would be something I would absolutely get behind."

I agree! I'm a singer/songwriter. I released my debut EP in 2014 and am recording my second album now as well as currently writing my first book.

I know some people just want to enjoy things and just say it's a play and that's the way it is. But that's not how this production is being presented. It's being treated as a political statement and I'm treating it as such.

And this my friends, is what I call I a reach

Mister Matt said: "When he realized what his feelings were, he was so confused because he thought he couldn't be gay because the only gay men that he had ever seen were the ones on TV, who were all skinny and white.

I hope you immediately recommended Paris Is Burning from 1990. And perhaps Noah's Arc, Boy Culture, The DL Chronicles and On the Downlow. But Paris is Burning should be MANDATORY viewing for absolutely everyone in this country. Period."



Still upset over Noah's Arc. Loved that show.

"what I'm getting at is I'd like to see diversity represented in the gay community just as it's represented in the straight community."

And they want to put on play and cast as many famous, gorgeous people as they can so it sells well, and they make money. You can't always get what you want. And protesting at this kind of show is pretty ridiculous. You'll just get laughed at simply because you think you are a special snowflake who needs to be "included" and "represented" in every little thing. I'm glad they all blocked you since you are missing the point. Other posters are right, you might want to work on your issues with a mental health professional, and not on a Broadway message board.

All this and it's still months away. Crazy.

Updated On: 2/3/18 at 06:53 AM

Protesting is fine and all...but to be so vocal against an all gay-male cast that is cast the same way the original cast looked is ridiculous...the event nature of this all gay-male cast is something to be proud of...to cast completely colorblind would be more of a stunt and would have nothing to do with the original concept except in name only...just my opinion here...btw i got my ticket and am flying in from Palm Springs to see this event!

Lot666 said: "Mister Matt said: "Paris is Burning should be MANDATORY viewing for absolutely everyone in this country. Period."

"

I agree. "Paris is Burning" is very personal to me. My dear friend and mentor Willi Ninja is profiled in this film. I miss him still.