The catty screeches of the smashed birthday partying queers in Mart Crowley’s Off-Broadway play “The Boys in the Band” were not merely sliver-sharp gibes and ice pic-like verbal jabs for their own sake. They were, rather, frayed confessions of self-loathing, a velvet rage that had curdled into shouts that were partially enough to mobilize gay and queer men to assert their identities in an unwelcome world. Though perhaps necessarily narrow, or specific, in its point of view, “The Boys in the Band” was a manifestation of a social tipping point, produced just before the Stonewall Uprising.

Continue reading ‘The Boys In The Band’: The Iconic Play Finds New Meaning In Joe Mantello’s Starry-Eyed Film [Review] at The Playlist.

Ryan Murphy is taking full advantage of his Netflix deal, isn’t he? Not only has he released two seasons of “The Politician” in just over a year, he’s also released the series “Hollywood,” and is prepping the release of “Ratched” in the coming month. Not only that, but he’s trying to finish up production on his musical film, “Prom.” Oh, and just when you think he couldn’t possibly have another project in the works, “The Boys in the Band” is about to debut on Netflix later this month.

Continue reading ‘The Boys In The Band’ Trailer: Ryan Murphy’s Latest Netflix Project Debuts This Month at The Playlist.

The 2019 Tony Awards were handed out on Sunday evening and one of the most competitive Best Musical races in years found the late arriving, but critically acclaimed “Hadestown” taking the top prize. The radical reinterpretation of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice took eight Tonys overall including Best Direction of a Musical (Rachel Chavkin) and Best Original Score.

“The Ferryman” took Best Play, “Oklahoma!” lassoed up Best Revival of a Musical while “The Boys in The Band” won Best Revival of Play giving Ryan Murphy his first Tony Award.  

Continue reading ‘Hadestown,’ Bryan Cranston & Elaine May Lead 2019 Tony Awards Winners at The Playlist.