The Boys in the Band (Broadway)

See it if u can relate to (or bear) a party of self-loathing gay men in the 60s trading barbs & witty banter until it gets too personal & drama ensues

Don't see it if you expect to feel the urgency, bleakness, shock or emotional impact that the original production must have evoked in its day.

Also You're probably going for the all-star cast. If so, they're all good. You'll probably feel you got your money's worth.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re a gay male and want to see one of the first important gay plays, performed by a top-notch ensemble.

Don't see it if You’re easily offended by gay subject matter or you’d really despise listening to bitchy, hateful queens for two hours.

See it if you want top-notch Quinto along with great performances by Parsons, Rannells, deJesus and the rest of the cast in a defining play.

Don't see it if you don't mind missing a well-written play finally brought to Broadway with a remarkable cast delivering reality in a quite-intimate set.

See it if Anachronistic comedy w/ stereotypical and un-PC behaviours of a certain gay demo. Celeb nudity. Star wattagev aplenty.

Don't see it if This is one play I'm sure some wish would never see the light of day or would just go away. Cringeworthy of another era.

See it if you like great acting/ensemble work; retrospectives; you appreciate feeling a gamut of emotions; you have friends who lived this past.

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with homosexuality; you prefer fun or intellectual stories that stay away from intense emotion.

See it if you want to experience an iconic theater piece that changed the conversation about homosexuality, not always for the good.

Don't see it if you're averse to depicitions of homosexuality, many of which are not completely positive.

Also I'm so glad I didn't miss this revival with a truly extraordinary cast.... Read more Read less

See it if you missed the 60s, want 2 be voyeur, witness what gay life was like 4 gay men, can find a golden lining of learning in former tragedies

Don't see it if no interest in how gay other half lived, think realistic portrayal of gay coping mechanisms is 2 disparaging, dislike anything that is gay

See it if you like to see terrific acting.Play has not aged well.This is not the way my gay friends live.Play sets gay rights back.Mean spirited

Don't see it if you are looking for a positive gay show.This portrays them as sex crazed, unkind, non-supportive, and vicious.This is not the gay world now.

See it if you want to see this all-star cast onstage. We probably won't see a revival of this play on Broadway for a long time so now is your chance.

Don't see it if you wouldn't enjoy a play examining LGBTQ themes.

See it if you enjoy a gay themed comedy-drama set in the late 60's. All the stereotypes are present, though slightly dated. Great ensemble cast

Don't see it if gay themed shows do not appeal to you

See it if you don’t let the boring movie version dissuade you. I put this off because I found the movie too slow, but this works terrifically onstage.

Don't see it if your finances don’t allow it. This has no rush or discount tickets, so unless you’re able to score day-of standing room, expect to pay $100+

See it if A birthday party reveals the closeted lives & self loathing of gay men in the early 60s; amazingly much of it holds up after 50 years.

Don't see it if Some themes were dated yet thanks to superb acting the play is fresh & riveting. Parsons and Quinto were especially stellar.

See it if Love Parsons & Quinto or you want to remember the 1960's and try to understand the angst of the day. But even 1hr 40 felt long.

Don't see it if - this show is dated and mean spirited and does nothing to illuminate the gay community as it is now. Parsons and Quinto are miscast.

Also I love Jim Parsons, but do I believe him as a suave playboy that jet sets around the world (with no money) seducing men?.. No. The show begins with great banter and a good pace, and despite not believing Parsons' underlying character, he has GREAT timing. However act 2 turns dark with the arrival of Alan a "College friend" and suddenly I feel like I'm watching a gay version of Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf! Quinto plays an aloof Jewish intellectual ex - the Martha to Parson's George. I actually wish they had switched the two actors in the roles. Quinto milked every line as if he was Gloria Swanson doing her big scene. I'm surprised his joint didn't have a cigarette holder. After the recent revivals of Torch Song, and Angels in America, (also both period pieces) it's clear that this script doesn't hold up, and has more stereotypes with less dimension and heart than any show I've seen in recent history. Such great talent, what a shame.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a classic 1960's pre-Stonewall glimpse into gay life among a group of partying friends with a 1st rate cast & production.

Don't see it if you don't like gay plays that are both comic, and very verbally violent depicting a period of time and circumstances of gay 196o's life.

See it if You want to see another Mantello masterpiece , bringing back a possibly dated play with new eyes and even more depth

Don't see it if You are uncomfortable around gay telling their truths warts and all

See it if You want to see a very good ensemble piece where all the actors are strong and the set is beautiful!

Don't see it if You aren’t interested in gay issues or want to see a slightly more current play. This play is funny and heartbreaking at the same time.

See it if you want to see a time capsule reenactment of gay life fifty years ago. All the actors give fine performances in a true ensemble piece.

Don't see it if you cringe at some of the stereotypical characterizations. Mart Crowley wrote what he saw.

Also Extra credit for casting openly gay actors whose acting prowess more than justifies their casting.... Read more Read less

See it if taking a trip back in time to the "gay days" of the 1960's and experience an typical gay party and all its delicious mayhem. Ready? Good!

Don't see it if you have no personal reference, interest, or insight into the gay experience, because this play will blow your socks off - sexually speaking

Also Matt Crowley's play is so RELEVANT today 50 years after it was first produced. This production is BRILLIANT is every aspect. There is not one false note of move in any area. It is brilliantly cast. It is brilliantly directed. The set is amazing! I saw the show four times, each time bringing with me a different friend (both male and female.) They all loved it!!!!!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an excellent cast do a play that feels a bit dated, but is still quite relevant.

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with homosexuality or violence.

See it if Written 50 years ago!?!...as fresh a voice as anything today, incredibly gifted cast. Joe Mantello.

Don't see it if See it and feel,

See it if writing that remains timely (alas) in an excellent production that is surprisingly funnier than I remember the original until it isn't.

Don't see it if you are afraid of an emotional roller coaster.

See it if you are open to an intense look at gay life. Set in 1968, but still relevant with a superb cast of actors & directed by Joe Mantello.

Don't see it if you embrace a bias that prevents you from wanting to understand a lifestyle that may differ from your own

See it if You love most, if not all 9 actors. Great cast (I was lucky enough to take selfies with 4). It's dated. Yes! It's cliched. Yes, but, needed.

Don't see it if If you're not into gays or racism in the LGBT community then this play is not for you. I was shocked that the latter was even brought up,

Also Considering that the racism within homosexuality is generally ignored in media. Kudos to the playwright. There are many stereotypical tropes and archetypes depicted in these 9 actors, but, hey they ran the gamut of gay men. Robin de Jesus and Zachary Quinto were extraordinarily good, but, brags to all. it was quite an entertaining evening. 110 minutes. No intermission, but, it went by. I didn't want it to end. Great setting. FYI: The male's bathroom line was significantly longer than the females... I mean, it is a play about 8-9 gay men!!!! Go see it!... Read more Read less

See it if Masterful casting as each actor plays to their strength; superb set and staging; hilarous, shocking and moving throughout

Don't see it if Second half drags midway as we drag to an inevitable conclusion; some characters are richer than others; few plot surprises

See it if you're interested in the history of gay plays in NY, written, directed, and performed by extraordinarily talented people.

Don't see it if you don't like stories about gay men, particularly self hating, self loathing gay men told with bitchy humor.