The Boys in the Band to premiere on Netflix, Wed. 9/30

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Updated On: 8/21/20 at 10:09 AM

APPOINTMENT TV...for sure...i have been waiting for this to come about since i saw this production in 2018 on Broadway...

I wonder if Ryan Murphy will attempt an awards push for this...

I could certainly see some of it coming up at the Golden Globes if it’s moderately successful

So excited for this. Now I'm wondering how far Murphy is coming along with his 10 part mini-series adaptation of "A Chorus Line". That's going to be MAJOR.

Saw the play 2 years ago in New York. Was really looking forward to it as I had never seen the original movie and really didn't know that much about it.

Very, very talented cast. The play itself, I didn't like at all. Wasn't my cup of tea.

It's so wonderful that the cast is able to recreate their roles again for this version. That hardly ever happens when plays are adapted for the big screen. Or, in this case, the little screen.

Updated On: 9/2/20 at 06:08 PM

Really looking forward to this. The last time I saw this I was in college in Boston, where I graduated in 1972. Depresses to to think that it was 48 years ago. I did see the movie many years ago-- I seem to remember that the cast of the movie were members of the original cast. Lightening strikes twice.

I'm excited to watch this on Netflix as well. Saw the play two years ago and am so glad it won Best play revival! It was truly special to have an all-out-gay cast perform on Broadway!

After watching the Ryan Murphy trailer, I also watched the 1970 trailer below.

I think this trailer makes it look pretty good, and i say that as someone who was pretty indifferent about the play itself, and the recent revival. I didn't hate it by any means, but it left very little impression on me, and I thought Parsons was very miscast.

Based on the trailer, it seems like they're being somewhat looser with the space and the text (some scenes taking place in the lobby, the car, the street, etc.) which I think is really smart. This could have very easily followed in the footsteps of American Son.

@quizking, regarding your friends' complaints: I agree with you that it's important to be aware of when a text was written, to have context about what the writer was saying, and where the gay liberation movement was at the time. But I also think it's important to remain aware of the context in which it's being presented now. If the play is dated in some respects, that's not Mr.Crowley's fault. But Ryan Murphy made the decision to make another film from this material in the year 2020, with at least some (or all) of its dated elements still in tact. And Murphy's decision to do so is fair game for criticism.

Especially because it's being adapted to a new medium, and nature of Netflix and wide-release films is such that it will inevitably attract audiences who don't have that context behind the play. At least with the stage revival, it's easy for an audience of theatre-goers to know that they're watching the exact same text being revived from decades earlier. But when it's transplanted to the screen, and presented as a new film in front of millions of people who aren't theatregoers, it's inevitable that the film will be viewed more strictly through a modern lens. And again, Murphy knew that, and so his decision to produce it is open to criticism.

To be clear, I'm not making a case for or against the film. We haven't even seen it yet, and frankly I'm not familiar enough with the play to really delve into it's layers, especially since I'm not a gay man. Everything I'm saying in this post is just what I generally believe about criticism, revivals, adaptation, etc. with Boys and the Band simply being the example at hand.

ArtMan said: "JBroadway, I originally had tickets for the revival, but that was flushed when JetBlue cancelled my flight and couldn't reschedule me for three days later. You mentioned that you thought Parsons was very miscast. Can you elaborate? Based on this trailer, I am probably in the minority, but Parsons doesn't seem very good in it. I like him, but really don't think he does very well in serious parts. Based on the trailer, I really feel I didn't miss much."



I can't claim to speak with any kind of authority on this, since I've never seen anyone other than Parsons in that role, and my sense of the role itself is only based on one viewing. Many people on this board have been familiar with the play for decades, and can probably speak to this much better than I can. But for what it's worth:

It seemed to me that the character required a kind of cynicism of a man who has been beaten down and hardened by life, and I thought Parsons lacked that quality. He can certainly play cynical, but not in that world-wearied sort of way. It also may be that he just reads too young. I know is approaching 50, but his looks, bearing, and mannerisms simply don't reflect his real age. I don't remember how old the character is supposed to be, but it seemed to be that he was supposed to have had a decent amount of life experience, or at least come across as such.

Also based on this, and Hollywood, I also just don't find him to be a compelling dramatic actor.

You know who would have been perfect for this role, ironically? Joe Mantello.

Well if the preview that I saw is anything like the rest of the movie---I'll pass.

I certainly do not need to be reminded how hideous we looked and acted and screeched and squeeled and drank all those years ago.

I know it was fun but without those silly childish games and heart wrenching tears and out-pouring of anguish and broken hearts. I seem to just remember laughter, drinking[a lot], dancing and fvaking[a LOT].

To each his own but for me TBITB belongs where it began.

I sure am glad that I lived it ,and that I'm still here[thank Whoever].

Updated On: 9/4/20 at 09:09 AM