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The Boys in the Band (Theatre)

 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
type
TVTItem
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
label
The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
page
TheBoysInTheBand
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
comment
Michael, a gay recovering alcoholic, along with friend and sometime lover Donald, is throwing a party for his buddy Harold's 32nd birthday. The guests include flaming queen Emory and his best friend Bernard, seemingly straight schoolteacher Hank and his monogamy-impaired lover Larry, and "Cowboy", Emory's gift for the guest of honor. However, their fun is cut short by the arrival of an unexpected party guest - Alan, Michael's questionably heterosexual college chum. This, along with Michael falling Off the Wagon, leads to a night of soul-searching and all of the guests being forced to confront the most uncomfortable aspects of themselves.The Boys in the Band is an off-Broadway play written by Mart Crowley which premiered in 1968. It was faithfully adapted into a film (starring the original stage cast) by William Friedkin in 1970. When it first opened, it was notable for the being first mainstream play (and film) to treat gay people in a direct and realistic way rather than cloaking it in subtext or portraying the characters as freaks. Furthermore, to quote Vito Russo, "The internalized guilt of eight gay men at a Manhattan birthday party formed the best and most potent argument for gay liberation ever offered in a popular art form."As it turned out, it was gay liberation itself that made The Boys in the Band go from being groundbreaking and revolutionary to a being a nasty relic of the Bad Old Days™ in the near instant, thanks to its bad timing. While the play was released in 1968, the Stonewall Riots occured in 1969 — and the film had the bad sense to be released in 1970 during the height of gay liberation. For years, it was often demonized as being not only dated, but flagrantly offensive. Over time, however, it's been re-vindicated by history, with more and more people recognizing it as a classic, eventually leading to a stage revival in 1996, a long overdue DVD release in 2008, another stage revival for the 50th anniversary in 2018, and a Netflix film remake starring the 2018 Broadway cast.
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2023-08-27T12:45:29Z
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2023-08-27T12:45:29Z
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Dropped link to Dramedy: Not a Feature - IGNORE
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
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DBTropes
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1892d512
type
Tall, Dark, and Handsome
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1892d512
comment
Tall, Dark, and Handsome: Larry and Hank in the movie - especially to Alan who compliments the latter on his good looks. Alan himself is very good looking in the film as well — but is blond. There's also Donald who plays this trope as straight as can be be.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1892d512
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1892d512
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1892d512
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_19bec249
type
Pop-Cultural Osmosis
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_19bec249
comment
Pop-Cultural Osmosis: The play was revived in the UK in 2016, with Mark Gatiss as Harold. While promoting the production on TV, he said that gay men often quote lines from the play without realising it.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_19bec249
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_19bec249
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1b4e322c
type
Mr. Fanservice
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1b4e322c
comment
Mr. Fanservice: Robert La Tourneaux as Cowboy.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1b4e322c
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1b4e322c
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1b65dfad
type
The Cameo
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1b65dfad
comment
The Cameo: The fat woman in black Emory shares a glance with during the opening was Elaine Kaufman, owner of the then-famous celebrity restaurant Elaine's. Also Maud Adams as the fashion model during Larry's photo shoot scene.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1b65dfad
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1b65dfad
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1badfb3a
type
The Heart
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1badfb3a
comment
The Heart: Harold, all of it hidden beneath his Deadpan Snarker and Gallows Humor persona. It takes several viewings to realize this about Harold. On first viewing, he looks more like a Stepford Smiler. Emory. He cares deeply for people, and does his best to be a good hostess, even though it's not his duty. He's the closest to Bernard, and genuinely cares about Alan's trauma, despite being attacked earlier.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1badfb3a
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_1badfb3a
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_2493b31d
type
Fire-Forged Friends
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_2493b31d
comment
Fire-Forged Friends / Odd Friendship: Emory and Alan, which is snarked drunkenly at by Michael.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_2493b31d
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_2493b31d
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_26d1f65f
type
Verbal Tic
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_26d1f65f
comment
Verbal Tic: Emory says "Oh Mary" constantly, to the point Crowley just wrote "O.M." in the script. It would be a Catchphrase except it's not exactly an uncommon phrase that a Camp Gay queen would say.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_26d1f65f
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_26d1f65f
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_27690f66
type
Literary Allusion Title
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_27690f66
comment
Literary Allusion Title: The title comes from A Star Is Born.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_27690f66
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_27690f66
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_2dc0d2bf
type
Hidden Depths
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_2dc0d2bf
comment
Hidden Depths: "I may be nelly, Michael, but I'm no coward."
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_2dc0d2bf
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_2dc0d2bf
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_3287773c
type
Lovable Alpha Bitch
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_3287773c
comment
Lovable Alpha Bitch: Harold. He is in many ways the group's Team Mom: He reassures Emory about his cooking when no one else does, makes sure Bernard will be taken care of, defends Cowboy from moments of bullying — all while remaining the master Deadpan Snarker. He even demonstrates Tough Love with Michael.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_3287773c
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_3287773c
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_3287773c
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_3c0a4666
type
Noodle Incident
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_3c0a4666
comment
Noodle Incident: Something happened between Alan and Justin Stewart, but exactly what is never learned.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_3c0a4666
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_3c0a4666
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_424d15ad
type
Love Hurts
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_424d15ad
comment
Love Hurts: A key theme throughout the play/movie, especially during the harrowing telephone game.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_424d15ad
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_424d15ad
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_424d15ad
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_466ccbb4
type
Gayngst
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_466ccbb4
comment
Gayngst: By the truckload.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_466ccbb4
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_466ccbb4
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_4766ca14
type
Volleying Insults
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_4766ca14
comment
Volleying Insults: Put a room full of dramatic and sarcastic men together, and you have this trope in spades.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_4766ca14
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_4766ca14
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_4766ca14
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_4f292929
type
Tall, Dark, and Snarky
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_4f292929
comment
Tall, Dark, and Snarky: HAROLD. Michael is this too, but he's a far second to the queen bee himself.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_4f292929
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_4f292929
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5565bf30
type
Three-Way Sex
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5565bf30
comment
Three-Way Sex: Hank and Larry experimented with it. Neither likes it. Cowboy gets confused about what a "menage" is — Michael's reply provides the page quote.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5565bf30
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5565bf30
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5565bf30
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_56240281
type
Country Matters
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_56240281
comment
Country Matters: A Running Gag. Later:
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_56240281
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_56240281
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5a3b8032
type
The Un-Reveal
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5a3b8032
comment
The Unreveal: The inscription on Mike's gift to Harold is never revealed. Harold only says, in a choked-up voice, "It's personal."
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5a3b8032
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5a3b8032
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5a3b8032
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5dcb9d92
type
Less Embarrassing Term
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5dcb9d92
comment
Less Embarrassing Term: "Notice nowhere is it called hair spray — just simply, 'Control.' And the words 'For Men' are written about thirty-seven times all over the goddamn can."
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5dcb9d92
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5dcb9d92
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5dcb9d92
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5f70322e
type
Public Domain Soundtrack
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5f70322e
comment
Public Domain Soundtrack: "Anything Goes" in the film; however, since it was performed by Harpers Bizarre, it was a licensed version.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5f70322e
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5f70322e
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_5f70322e
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_60b21fa3
type
The Lancer
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_60b21fa3
comment
The Lancer: Harold to Michael.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_60b21fa3
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_60b21fa3
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_60b21fa3
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_61313315
type
Off the Wagon
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_61313315
comment
Off the Wagon. Michael has stopped drinking for five weeks, to prevent anxiety attacks, but falls off the wagon - hard - during Harold's birthday party.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_61313315
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_61313315
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_61313315
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_66755d29
type
Author Avatar
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_66755d29
comment
Author Avatar: Michael is Mart Crowley's self-admitted Author Avatar. All of the characters represent Crowley, according to an interview.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_66755d29
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_66755d29
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_66755d29
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6849cc47
type
Where da White Women At?
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6849cc47
comment
Where da White Women At?: A variant of this is done with Bernard, a gay black man in love with a wealthy, straight white man that his family worked for.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6849cc47
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6849cc47
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6849cc47
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6891554e
type
Parlor Games
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6891554e
comment
Parlor Games: Michael pressures the guests into a playing a game which involves calling the one person they truly believe they've loved and telling them how they feel. This does not go down well.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6891554e
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6891554e
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6891554e
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_69fb91e8
type
Chewing the Scenery
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_69fb91e8
comment
Chewing the Scenery: Michael has quite the craving for scenery.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_69fb91e8
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_69fb91e8
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_69fb91e8
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6db06839
type
The Stoner
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6db06839
comment
The Stoner: Harold. "What I am, Michael, is a 32 year-old, ugly, pockmarked Jew fairy, and if it takes me a little while to pull myself together, and if I smoke a little grass before I get up the nerve to show my face to the world, it's nobody's goddamned business but my own. And how are you this evening?"
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6db06839
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6db06839
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6db06839
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6f19054d
type
Coming-Out Story
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6f19054d
comment
Coming-Out Story: Hank, who's in the process of divorcing his wife that he cheated on to be with Larry.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6f19054d
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6f19054d
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_6f19054d
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_722b3319
type
Camp Gay
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_722b3319
comment
Camp Gay: Most of the characters to varying degrees, but especially Emory. Done in a "laughing with" way rather than the usual "laughing at", and the characters are treated as people rather than as simple caricatures.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_722b3319
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_722b3319
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_722b3319
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7426582d
type
Token Minority
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7426582d
comment
Token Minority: Bernard. The sequel The Men From the Boys adds an Asian named Rick.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7426582d
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7426582d
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7426582d
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_757d244e
type
Schiff One-Liner
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_757d244e
comment
Schiff One-Liner: "As my father said to me when he died in my arms, 'I don't understand any of it. I never did.'"note Based on Mart Crowley's father's dying words.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_757d244e
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_757d244e
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_757d244e
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7815ba15
type
N-Word Privileges
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7815ba15
comment
N-Word Privileges: Emory, literally, (though ironically once Bernard openly addresses this it causes Emory to swear to never do it again) but all of the characters have no trouble calling each other "fags" and other slurs - with no malice at first. Lampshaded by Michael when he drunkenly rants at Alan some dated gay slurs like "sodomite". Invoked by Bernard at Michael. However, when Bernard is on the phone with his crush's mother, he tells her, "It's Bernard. Francine's boy." Emory injects, "Son, not boy."
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7815ba15
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7815ba15
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7d89315b
type
"The Reason You Suck" Speech
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7d89315b
comment
"The Reason You Suck" Speech.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7d89315b
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7d89315b
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7d89315b
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7febc23b
type
Establishing Character Moment
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7febc23b
comment
Establishing Character Moment: Harold has quite the memorable entrance.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7febc23b
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7febc23b
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_7febc23b
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_820ac3c5
type
Dysfunction Junction
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_820ac3c5
comment
Dysfunction Junction
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_820ac3c5
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_820ac3c5
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_820ac3c5
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_83b44e80
type
Straight Gay
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_83b44e80
comment
Straight Gay: Hank. The very first shot of him is playing street basketball with friends. Donald also has no stereotypical gay affectations (at least until openly discusses gay sex with Michael).
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_83b44e80
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_83b44e80
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_84fde8d1
type
Big Entrance
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_84fde8d1
comment
Big Entrance: Harold's arrival at the party. His deadpan facial expression and dark glasses make him seem like a rather sinister character, until he sees Cowboy's card and starts giggling.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_84fde8d1
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_84fde8d1
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_84fde8d1
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_85c4ebe0
type
Bisexual Love Triangle
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_85c4ebe0
comment
Bisexual Love Triangle: Hank left his wife to be with Larry. According to both his own comments and Michael's, Hank really did love his wife, but his desire for men was far stronger than any feelings he could have for a woman.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_85c4ebe0
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_85c4ebe0
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_85c4ebe0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_863fa679
type
What Happened to the Mouse?
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_863fa679
comment
What Happened to the Mouse?: The question of whether Alan is straight or closeted, and what he was sobbing about when he called Michael early in the film is never answered - deliberately.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_863fa679
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_863fa679
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_863fa679
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_86b21114
type
Badass Boast
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_86b21114
comment
Badass Boast:
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_86b21114
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 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_86b21114
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The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_86b21114
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_8b3fe1cb
type
Flaw Exploitation
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_8b3fe1cb
comment
Flaw Exploitation: Michael and Harold are experts at what is known as "the read" in the gay community. Unfortunately for the former, the latter is better at it and gives him one hell of a "The Reason You Suck" Speech.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_8b3fe1cb
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_8b3fe1cb
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_8b3fe1cb
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_905438eb
type
Recycled IN SPACE!
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_905438eb
comment
Recycled In Space. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? WITH GAYS! Or at least ones that aren't ambiguous, outside of Alan.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_905438eb
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_905438eb
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_905438eb
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_96a33f11
type
Riddle for the Ages
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_96a33f11
comment
Riddle for the Ages: The inscription on Michael's gift is enough to cause a genuinely heartfelt thank you from the usually cold Harold, but he won't tell anyone else what it said. Basically everything about Alan. What did he want to tell Michael? What causes him to flip flop on telling whatever it was and attending the party? Did he really have an affair with another man in college? Is he straight, gay, or bi?
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_96a33f11
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_96a33f11
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_96a33f11
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_96d2ce42
type
In Vino Veritas
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_96d2ce42
comment
In Vino Veritas: Michael's one nasty, self-loathing drunk.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_96d2ce42
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_96d2ce42
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_96d2ce42
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_97980a6e
type
First Law of Tragicomedies
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_97980a6e
comment
First Law of Tragicomedies: While the first half has drama and the second half has comedy, the show gets much more serious midway through.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_97980a6e
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_97980a6e
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_97980a6e
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a1b141f4
type
My God, What Have I Done?
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a1b141f4
comment
My God, What Have I Done?: Michael''s "icks" attack at the end.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a1b141f4
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a1b141f4
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a1b141f4
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a7189582
type
Parallel Porn Titles
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a7189582
comment
Parallel Porn Titles: Boys in the Sand, a landmark gay porn film.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a7189582
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a7189582
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a7189582
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a8593e70
type
Real Time
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a8593e70
comment
Real Time: The play is all one long continuous scene
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a8593e70
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a8593e70
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_a8593e70
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_abd29ad8
type
No-Sell
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_abd29ad8
comment
No-Sell: Michael attempts to read Harold ("You starve yourself, all day, living on coffee and cottage cheese, so you can gorge yourself on one meal, and then you feel guilty... And this pathological lateness... standing in front of a bathroom mirror, for hours and hours before you can walk onto the street, and then looking no different...") but Harold turns right around, unfazed, and lands a critical shot on constantly in-debt Michael, who pays for everything on credit:
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_abd29ad8
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_abd29ad8
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_abd29ad8
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_ad1ab367
type
The Masochism Tango
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_ad1ab367
comment
The Masochism Tango: Emory and Bernard, Michael and Donald. Michael and Harold? Is there a Sadism Tango?
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_ad1ab367
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_ad1ab367
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_ad1ab367
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_ae3d6438
type
Deadpan Snarker
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_ae3d6438
comment
Harold, all of it hidden beneath his Deadpan Snarker and Gallows Humor persona. It takes several viewings to realize this about Harold. On first viewing, he looks more like a Stepford Smiler.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_ae3d6438
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_ae3d6438
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_ae3d6438
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_af616e40
type
Accidental Misnaming
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_af616e40
comment
Accidental Misnaming:
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_af616e40
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_af616e40
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_af616e40
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b31458d5
type
Always Camp
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b31458d5
comment
Always Camp: Emory is an interior decorator and Harold's a former figure skater.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b31458d5
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b31458d5
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b31458d5
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b4a44588
type
Tough Love
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b4a44588
comment
Tough Love: Harold's "Reason You Suck" Speech isn't born of any actual malice. Rather, it's intended to defuse Michael's increasing destructiveness (which includes a healthy dollop of self destruction. The speech was Part One of Harold's "therapy"; his promise to call the next day is Part Two.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b4a44588
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b4a44588
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b4a44588
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b7e74b77
type
Five-Token Band
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b7e74b77
comment
Five-Token Band: As noted by Pauline Kael, the characters are like a "40's movie bomber-crew."
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b7e74b77
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b7e74b77
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_b7e74b77
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bc502e4b
type
You Are What You Hate
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bc502e4b
comment
You Are What You Hate: An interpretation of Alan. He doesn't care for Emory's Camp Gay nature, at first keeping it to himself and Michael but later having a freak out where he drops a slur and attacks Emory. If you believe Alan is gay, then this could be his self homophobia reacting very poorly to being so close to a man whose as out of the closet as possible.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bc502e4b
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bc502e4b
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bc502e4b
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bc74ef27
type
Berserk Button
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bc74ef27
comment
Berserk Button: Let's just say that Alan doesn't like Emory's "kind of talk." For Bernard, anyone but him and Emory making racist cracks about black people.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bc74ef27
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bc74ef27
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bc74ef27
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bd0230fb
type
Ambiguously Bi
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bd0230fb
comment
Ambiguously Bi: Hank has an ex wife and kids and is described as swinging both ways but preferring men, but it's also not entirely clear if this preference means he's gone the other way and it didn't work or if he's genuinely attracted to women but legitimately likes men better. Alan is adamant that he only likes women, but the text has enough backing for him to be played as a man whose attracted to both sexes and is only open about one of them.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bd0230fb
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bd0230fb
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bd0230fb
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bf1255fa
type
Really Gets Around
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bf1255fa
comment
Village Bicycle: Greenwich Village, that is — Larry, much to Hank's frustration.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bf1255fa
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bf1255fa
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_bf1255fa
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c2e2a445
type
Jade-Colored Glasses
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c2e2a445
comment
Jade-Colored Glasses. Harold, though he literally wears purple glasses.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c2e2a445
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c2e2a445
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c2e2a445
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c673210e
type
Informed Judaism
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c673210e
comment
Informed Judaism: Harold.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c673210e
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c673210e
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c673210e
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c9597a03
type
Self-Deprecation
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c9597a03
comment
Self-Deprecation: Many examples to go around, as the characters are just as quick to make fun of themselves as they are each other. The entire character of Michael counts since he was based on playwright Matt Crowley. While he's not without his good qualities, he still partakes in some nasty behavior and is rightfully called out for it.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c9597a03
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c9597a03
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_c9597a03
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_d7fc9fd0
type
Vitriolic Best Buds
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_d7fc9fd0
comment
Vitriolic Best Buds: Michael and Harold. While it isn't clear they are best friends, two moments reveal their deep relationship: Michael's gift to Harold, and Harold's quiet assurance after giving him the above "The Reason You Suck" Speech "I'll call you tomorrow." Emory and Bernard are a type two example. Emory is apparently the only white guy allowed to make black jokes about Bernard, because to Bernard it shows that Emory views him as an equal.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_d7fc9fd0
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_d7fc9fd0
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_d7fc9fd0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_d848560f
type
Unusual Euphemism
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_d848560f
comment
Unusual Euphemism: Michael refers to anxiety attacks as "icks".
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_d848560f
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_d848560f
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_d848560f
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_df410b77
type
Decoy Protagonist
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_df410b77
comment
Decoy Protagonist: Harold is featured in the film's poster and tagline, but only makes his first appearance midway through the movie, at which point Michael had long been established as the main protagonist.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_df410b77
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_df410b77
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_df410b77
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e34400ab
type
Ambiguously Gay
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e34400ab
comment
Ambiguously Gay: Alan, although he says that he's straight. Bernard says that he fooled around a little with the son of his and his mother's employer, and when he calls, she tells him that her son is getting divorced again, indicating that he can't hold relationships with women.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e34400ab
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e34400ab
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e34400ab
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e399c1dd
type
Manly Gay
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e399c1dd
comment
Manly Gay: Hank. Speaks in a deep voice, introduces himself with a firm handshake, used to play college basketball, and is shown shooting hoops in the film's opening montage. He is also married with two children, though in the process of getting a divorce.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e399c1dd
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e399c1dd
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e399c1dd
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e563bf09
type
Insistent Terminology
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e563bf09
comment
Insistent Terminology: Emory calls everyone a "she", including Alan. Harold does the same.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e563bf09
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e563bf09
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e563bf09
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e83f211c
type
O.O.C. Is Serious Business
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e83f211c
comment
O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Michael remarks that something must be really wrong with Alan for him to break down and start crying on the phone.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e83f211c
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e83f211c
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e83f211c
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e85976d4
type
Not That There's Anything Wrong with That
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e85976d4
comment
Not That There's Anything Wrong with That: Alan's unconvincing attempt to tell Michael that he has nothing against being gay. Of course, the theory that Alan is a closet queen adds an interesting subtext.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e85976d4
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e85976d4
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_e85976d4
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_eb8e4fa8
type
Jerkass
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_eb8e4fa8
comment
Jerkass: Michael, once he gets drunk
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_eb8e4fa8
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_eb8e4fa8
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_eb8e4fa8
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_f91d1d4f
type
Darkest Hour
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_f91d1d4f
comment
Darkest Hour: Most of the second half.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_f91d1d4f
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_f91d1d4f
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_f91d1d4f
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_fcd9b657
type
Gallows Humor
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_fcd9b657
comment
Gallows Humor: Michael declares that the lasagna the group are eating is actually Sebastian Venable. The Cowboy doesn't know the reference - told, he remarks, "Jesus..."
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_fcd9b657
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_fcd9b657
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_fcd9b657
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_fdbd6162
type
With Friends Like These...
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_fdbd6162
comment
With Friends Like These...: To call this group of friends dysfunctional isn't doing them justice.
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_fdbd6162
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_fdbd6162
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_fdbd6162
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_name
type
ItemName
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_name
comment
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_name
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_name
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_name
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre) / int_name
itemName
The Boys in the Band (Theatre)

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 TheBoysInTheBand
seeAlso
The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Brainless Beauty / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Break Them by Talking / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Bury Your Gays / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Cast Full of Gay / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Chromosome Casting / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Country Matters / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Cure Your Gays / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Films of the 2020s / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Gayngst / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Hooker with a Heart of Gold / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Literary Allusion Title / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Meanwhile, Back at the… / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Off the Wagon / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Open Relationship Failure / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Queer Character, Queer Actor / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Schiff One-Liner / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The '60s / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
The Masochism Tango / int_7910dd12
 The Boys in the Band (Theatre)
hasFeature
Unintentional Period Piece / int_7910dd12