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A 1970 film directed by William Friedkin, "The Boys in the Band" stars the original Off-Broadway cast, including Weston actor Laurence Luckinbill, performing in the first major film studio production to deal frankly with homosexuality.
The ensemble cast includes Luckinbill as Hank, Kenneth Nelson as Michael, Peter White as Alan, Leonard Frey as Harold, Cliff Gorman as Emory, Frederick Combs as Donald, Keith Prentice as Larry, Robert La Tourneaux as Cowboy, and Reuben Greene as Bernard.
The film is set in an Upper East Side apartment in New York City in the late 1960s. Michael, a Roman Catholic and recovering alcoholic, is preparing to host a birthday party for his friend Harold. Another of his friends, Donald, a self-described underachiever who has moved from the city, arrives and helps Michael to prepare. Alan, Michael's (presumably straight) old college roommate from Georgetown, calls with an urgent need to see Michael. Michael reluctantly agrees and invites him to his home.
One by one, the guests arrive. Emory is a stereotypical flamboyant interior decorator; Hank, a soon-to-be-divorced schoolteacher, and Larry, a fashion photographer, are a couple, albeit one with monogamy issues; and Bernard is an amiable black bookstore clerk. Alan calls again to inform Michael he isn't coming after all, and the party continues in a festive manner. However, Alan later does appear unexpectedly and throws the gathering into turmoil.
The question-and-answer session hosted by Ridgefield resident Ira Joe Fisher will follow the screening. He will be joined by Luckinbill to discuss the making of “The Boys In The Band,” from Off-Broadway to the big screen.
Tickets for the movie and question and answer session are $10 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and $5 for students. For more information or to purchase reserved tickets, go to the Ridgefield Playhouse online.
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