(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Montclair Studio Players’ concludes its season mounting the original version of The Boys in The Band. Performances run Thursdays to Sundays, June 14th – 29th at 8:00pm, except 3:00pm on Sundays. Here directed by E. Dale Smith-Gallo (Montclair), The Boys in The Band by Mart Crowley did the unthinkable in 1968 New York City, presenting a brash, unapologetically gay story in pre-Stonewall America. And while the fear and self-loathing brought on by living a publicly-closeted existence pervade this tale of nine men at a gin-soaked birthday party gone awry, so too do whips of defiance and a need to live truthfully–no matter the cost.
Of the original Off-Broadway run in 1968, Time magazine remarked: "A funny, sad, and honest play about a set of mixed-up human beings who happen to be deviates." Studio Players is proud times have changed and salutes 50 Years of Pride by revisiting this pivotal work of gay theatre that has often been cited as one of the inciting forces behind the beginning of the LGBTQ fight for equality.
The cast features Michael Smith-Gallo (Montclair), Matthew Rofofsky (Fort Lee), Aaron Kellner (West Orange), Ken Budris (West Caldwell), Kenneth Laboy Vasquez (New York), Josh Musgrave (Florham Park), Billy Barry (Montclair), Brandon Dennis (Whippany), and John L'Ecuyer (New York).
Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors (discounts available for prepaid groups of 20 or more). Opening night tickets are buy 1, get one 1 free. Tickets can be purchased online at studioplayhouse.org/tickets or by calling 973-744-9752. Studio Playhouse is located at 14 Alvin Place, off Valley Road near the Acme, in Upper Montclair.
Studio is partnering with Garden State Equality to host a reception on Saturday, June 15th after the show with the actors, with partial proceeds supporting GSE’s ongoing outreach.
PHOTO: L to R -- Back Row: Brandon Dennis, John L'Ecuyer, Josh Musgrave; Middle Row: Bill Barry, Matt Rofofsky, Ken Budris; Front Row: Aaron Kellner, Michael Smith-Gallo, Kenneth Laboy Vasquez. Photo courtesy of Amy Fox.
