Boys of a Certain Age
Willow Theatricals presents a politically charged drama exploring intergenerational gay relationships and timely issues facing the LGBTQ community.
... Read moreIra and Larry were Hebrew school classmates who took different paths in life. Ira came out and moved to the city; Larry married a woman, had a family, and came out later in life. Now, following the 2016 election, they're spending one memorable weekend together with Larry's son Bryan, Ira's nephew Christopher, and a whole lot of gay history.
- Official Site
- 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Already closed
- Theaterlab (Midtown W)
Cast & Creatives (7)
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Reviews (41)
8 Critics' Reviews
"For two hours, these well-to-do white men shout at one another about privilege and politics, capturing the authentic palaver of a certain set of New Yorkers...While Fingerman's characters do fit a little too neatly into their boxes, he uses them to snap a Polaroid of gay conversation in the early part of 2017, proving that a playwright can be a first responder to our culture...Under Dinero's steady direction, the actors are able to make their dialectical lines sound real and believable." Full Review
"What makes this such an important play is it opens the discussion of queer life under President Trump, because some gay men did vote for him...Mr. Fingerman is an exquisite writer getting the humor and the conflict of life. He realizes there is more to life than just black and white and this play has all sorts of gray...Director Dan Dinero has the cast actively moving so we feel the passage of time and feel the tension brewing underneath the current of rigidity." Full Review
"Fingerman’s text has an old-fashioned sensibility to it, giving the story charm. There is a strong foundation in the structure. The content is dynamite, exploring the dynamics of the generations...Sometimes it feels like a Facebook newsfeed. That being said, Fingerman’s dialogue is best when the hot-button topics are integrated into the plot...'Boys' is an engaging piece of theater with an exuberant amount of sentiment. It’s rich with history with a modern sensibility." Full Review
"There’s not much in the way of plot, but secrets are revealed, scores are settled and life goes on with new insights. It’s reminiscent of a Terrence McNally play but lacking in polish...Director Dan Dinero’s fluid staging aids in enlivening this quite talky material...Passionate, well-intentioned, and accomplished on several levels, but flawed in construction, 'Boys of a Certain Age' doesn’t cohere into a fully satisfying work." Full Review
"An intelligent and nuanced exploration of the generational divide among gay men who have navigated their identities in distinctly different ways...The cast is talented, each navigating their characters with a confidence that suggests each feels that they know best...Fingerman’s script is intellectual and cuttingly sharp...It is not, it should be said, a wholly perfect script—the show begins to lose focus towards the end." Full Review
"'Boys’' timeliness is its greatest asset, but also—paradoxically—something of a drawback. Yes, we can relate easily to the political conflicts that the characters face. The play’s very torn-from-the-headlines freshness makes those conflicts seem not only too close for comfort but also too close for the kind of discomfort that can help trigger a measured, productive response...Fingerman’s script is likable and often quite funny...The cast is solid." Full Review
"The story sometimes veers wildly off-course and seems to have trouble landing on a solid subject to discuss during the first half. After roughly the mid-way point, the importance on LGBT community history and its current fears comes to the forefront and the play becomes undeniably absorbing...Overall the script has very few flaws and is definitely crafted with love...Each actor has a unique personality and you lose yourself in the stories they get to tell...A remarkably well crafted show." Full Review
for a previous production "This beachside play has some of the verve of ‘Boys in the Band’ and far more likable characters…The events of the weekend are a mixture of funny, moving, confrontational and conversational...The dialogue is at times a little on the money, but frequently takes left turns into fresher territory...The performances are all solid…All in all, while the production feels slightly under-rehearsed due to some timing bumps, the material is challenging, intelligent, witty and full of surprises." Full Review
33 Members' Reviews
See it if you like plays with wit and humor, which explore timely social/political topics. This show has strong performances, and a big heart.
Don't see it if you're offended by plays which tackle contemporary gay men's lives, loves, and all-too-human struggles. Complaint: needs better seating.
See it if you want funny, intelligent dialogue, an exploration of the gay generational divide, and very current events discussed on stage.
Don't see it if you need clear structure or sophisticated storytelling, awkward staging bothers you, or if a political argument onstage will turn you off.
See it if you enjoy the lively wit of a group of gay men.
Don't see it if you don't like all gay characters.
See it if If you want to see a play about same sex relationships young and older. You want to really laugh. You want to hear some relevant information
Don't see it if You have a problem with seeing a play about same sex relationships. You don't have an open mind and don't want to laugh.
Also The actors did a great job in this performance. Their delivery was so ... Read more Read less
See it if You like clever, well written, well acted plays
Don't see it if You don't like clever, well written well acted plays
Also All four actors should be commended for a good work
See it if you are ok with gay issues and politics,
Don't see it if you are anti gay
See it if u r interested in gay history (political. coming out, preferences) different generation experiences. family issues
Don't see it if you don't care to see a show on gay life
See it if gay themes, lingo, jokes, history, audiences, are your thing or you're curious how the gay 10% live, love, & hold varied political beliefs
Don't see it if you have no curiosity how the other half lives & what they talk about at their beachfront property or dislike black out scenes for 1 liners
See it if You're into intergenerational relationships, gay men, humor, bare torsos, cliches/ stereotypes, politically- charged play. Small venue.
Don't see it if You dislike all the above.... Seating is against the walls; stage in the middle
See it if you like clever lines and stories about gay men with differences in opinion about gay issues and politics
Don't see it if you are easily offended and/or don't like stories about gay issues or politics
Also I very much enjoyed the show! It was a very intimate setting with a si... Read more Read less
See it if You'd like a sense of how far gay rights & identity have come in the last 60 yrs; a funny if flawed play that attempts much, mostly succeeds
Don't see it if You're closed-minded to the point of homophobia/intolerance: 'good bet you won't enjoy or get the jokes—'less you've been closeted: then go!
Also A good, well balanced ensemble cast; a deceivingly simple, ingenious s... Read more Read less
See it if Elder vs contemporary gay men w/ accompanying viewpoints Well written & acted touching many bases but ultimately about strength of family
Don't see it if Can fall into bitchy zinger syndrome & anti-Trump ranting sucks energy Staccato scenes/blackouts distract Interpersonal scenes work best
See it if You like LGBTQ themes that are highly relevant to our contemporary political situations. You are familiar with gay experience 30 yrs ago.
Don't see it if You are homophobic or a Trump supporter. Also, some jokes are not easy to understand if you are not a New Yorker or gay.
See it if you enjoy topical explorations of current and past events political (and AIDS activism) told with both historical and theatrical references
Don't see it if you're offended by reference to gay sex (a few) or criticism of the current, hopefully short lived, administration. Sorry for adding my bias
See it if you enjoy great writing and acting in a play with revealing character studies.
Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with plays with gay themes.
See it if You appreciate a play that resonates with older gay men and the newer generation of gay men. It's a touching story on how the two coexist.
Don't see it if you are homophobic or don't care about the struggles the LGBT community has gone through for the past few decades.
See it if You are interested in stories about coming out later in life
Don't see it if you are homophobic
See it if you want to know about the generational differences between old and young gays and their different struggles.
Don't see it if you want a faster paced play. Don't care about gay issues.
See it if don't care about characters or a story, are OK if scenes only last 15-30 seconds, like a gay play being hijacked by an anti Trump play
Don't see it if You want want more than predictable gay bitchy jokes, u r a Trump supporter, or want good writing and decent costumes
See it if Show is composed of 4 gay men, most of the audience is male, but show is interesting and very funny to anyone.
Don't see it if You are not comfortable with gay issues and language, not interested in current political affairs.