The Boys In The Band - opening soon in Chicago

There's no drama I've done more of a 180 over. First encountering the movie on late night t.v. when I was high school age, and then renting it at some point in college--I despised it. Just thought it was the most negative, self-pitying junk.

But I've come around to appreciating Crowley's look at a specific segment of the gay community. Even before the movie, there were gay groups who thought it was a negative put-down (Vector had a couple of articles on it taking that position), so I don't think it was ever as representative of the community as it is now sometimes held up to have been. But it's very well constructed, often funny, sometimes frightening and genuinely moving.

It's earned it's place in the canon, as far as I'm concerned.

After perusing the theatre's website, it seems like the play has been cast somewhat younger and prettier than previously.

The production isn't casting younger -- it's casting age-appropriate, according to the script. The characters range in age from 22 (Cowboy) to 33 (Emory), and the play takes place on Harold's 32nd birthday. Michael and Alan are both meant to be 30.

The recent Broadway revival had a cast ranging from late 20s to 50s, with the majority of actors (Parsons, Bomer, Quinto, Hutchinson) being in their early-to-mid 40s.

It's the same script but there's no fourth wall between the performers and the audience. It's staged as if you're in the apartment with them, and you can move from room to room as you desire. It's more immersive than interactive, though you do get snacks and drinks.

I saw this company's production of Southern Gothic and I found it interesting, but I imagine this immersive model gets pretty tired if they just do the same thing for every show. When I went it was a sold-out audience and frankly had too many people. Everyone was fighting to follow the actors and there was barely any room to move.