Stephen Spinella in Angels in America — Page 4

GAY MARRY ME OASISJEFF

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"God, I've always had mixed feelings about The Boys in the Band. I'd hoped we were past all of that, but after this thread, maybe we're not. "

Past all what, exactly? The feelings? The play? Feeling negatively towards the play? I'm just kinda confused.

I saw a recent production (which did use the revised script from, I think, the last New York production--not sure about some of the character softening done to it, but oh well.) Anyway, the friend I brought hadn't seen the movie, or even a lot of theatre, and his basic reaction was that he couldn't believe it was written in the '70s and still seemed so relevant.

"^I also loved Drover in that. It was the first thing I ever saw him do, and my crush on him was instantaneous.
'

Me too. I loved his acting and appearance. But I did tune in to GIRLS one night, and he looked awful.

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Updated On: 3/12/14 at 06:02 PM

I have to ask, what exactly is wrong with, as some of you put it, "femming up" a role? Are you suggesting that feminine or effeminate men shouldn't be portrayed on stage? If so, you may want to take a look at what you are saying. If you're suggesting that "femming up" the role of Prior Walter can't be a persuasive choice for the role, you may want to reread the play.

Adam Driver

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PjQx5RK-NU

Short video with Spinella , Eustis, Wolfe, Schenkman, Mantello and Harden talking about the play in its 20 the anniv.

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Steve, I would say you're meant to be disturbed by it at least to some degree. In regards to the self-loathing... Namo will tell me I'm simplifying it--and I completely admit I am, but that element is still there in gay culture. It's there anywhere, to varying degrees. I don't think by showing it in BitB it's necessarily saying that that's what all gay men feel--and when you watch it now, be it as a piece you relate to or as a piece that shows something from a different generation, there's a lot more to get out of it. (I'm not saying you didn't get more out of it--I think your point is completely valid.) Regardless, I think the "types" shown in BitB still are identifiable today, as is some of the dialogue.

As for the sequel though--I've never seen it done, but, having read it... there's nothing there I felt was relate able.

Jane, I think Driver is meant to look worse for wear in Girls--but those clips are great! Thank you!

I know BitB is meant to be a melodrama, but I've never been able to get past how cruelly these supposed "friends" treated each other. That aspect of the play simply did not seem true to me--it felt contrived. As a gay man, I've never, ever experienced anything like that from my friends. Maybe there were (and still are) such people in the world, but I'm sure glad I've never run into any of them.

I mean...the entire point of the role of Prior Walter is that the sissy is the hero. There's no getting around that. De-femming the role means you're not playing the role. If you want to play a butch gay as hero, find another play.

And I absolutely adore Boys In the Band. It is, of course, of its time, but it's also fearless, funny, disturbing and damn entertaining.

Here's a wonderful 8-minute feature about the original production that aired on CBS 20 years ago:

https://vimeo.com/33262885

It has some wonderful B-roll footage, including the "it'd be your lucky day" line. It's wonderful to get some tiny glimpses at the original production, especially for those of us who weren't around to see it.

I don't think you have to worry about that. I think what actors bring to it now will resonate with audiences now. I will see Spinella in anything I can get to because he set the standard because that role is his. But it doesn't mean other actors haven't been great. My memories of Christian Borle's Prior have not diminished over time.

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I'm an older gay man, and I saw BOYS IN THE BAND on stage when I was first struggling to come out in the late 60s. And yes, gay social life, at least in New York City, was just like that. BitB got it right; most of the gay men I met in those days were often flamboyant but very sad (and often bitchy to their best friends, as Harold and Michael are to each other in BitB). We were desperate to find a way to feel good about ourselves, but the world was too scared of us, and we only existed in the dark bars and back rooms where we were barely allowed to congregate. Lots of us "queened it up" when we were together because we had to play straight in the outside world, and this was our chance to find our real selves. So when people put down BitB as being too negative or too bitchy, I have to tell you that's the way it often was.
As to ANGELS, Stephen Spinella was, imo, brilliant in both parts, and I'm sorry that his performance was not captured in the otherwise amazing HBO version (yes, Emma could have been better, but Pacino, Streep and Patrick Wilson were unforgettable).