Crowley, Mart. (1935-2020) & Frey, Leonard. (1938–1988) & La Tourneaux, Robert. (1940–1986). "The Boys in the Band" Collection incl. Signed Poster and Photographs.
A rare grouping of signed and other unique items related to the landmark production, including a poster (20 1/ x 13 1/2in) for the original off-Broadway stage production signed by original cast members: Frederick Combs, Leonard Frey, Cliff Gorman, Reuben Greene, Robert Latourneaux, Laurence Luckinbill, Kenneth Nelson, Keith Prentice, and Peter White; a pair of original Tom Murphy photographs of Frey and La Tourneaux as Harold and Cowboy in the original production. A typed caption to verso of each photograph reads "Leonard Frey and Robert La Tourneaux in 'The Boys in the Band' at Theatre Four, New York City, N.Y. on June 27th, 1968"; a black-and-white photograph seemingly also of La Tourneaux standing on a stage (face hard to positively identify in the photograph's lighting). Photographs in fine condition, each 7 x 5 inches (17.8 x 12.7 cm); Signed excised title and half title of The Boys in the Band (New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1968), half title inscribed to Paul McMahon to half title: "N.Y.C. 11/21/1968 To: Paul – I've never done this – You're #1 Thank you! Affectionally, Mart." 8 x 5 inches (20.3 x 12.5 cm). In fine condition.
Mart Crowley's off-Broadway play, about a group of gay men who gather at an apartment to celebrate a birthday, ran for over 1000 performances at Theatre Four from April 15, 1968 to September 6, 1970. As this was before the Stonewall riots and homophobia was still the societal norm, the play could only be staged off-Broadway, but it turned out to be a success, and the production soon moved to a larger venue. It was obvious that the time had come for the subject matter. "According to Crowley, his motivation in writing the play was not activism, but anger that 'had partially to do with myself and my career, but it also had to do with the social attitude of people around me, and the laws of the day'. He says he 'wanted the injustice of it all — to all those characters — known'. Crowley has also stated, 'I was not an activist, then or now. I didn't know what hit me. I just wrote the truth.' "
In addition to being a landmark piece of queer theatre, the play also found significant mainstream success, and served as an inspiration and rallying point for many who would participate in the burgeoning gay rights movement. It was revived on Broadway for its 50th anniversary in 2018 with an all-star cast, winning the Tony for Best Revival of a Play. William Friedkin would direct a film version in 1970, adapted by Crowley from his play, and Crowley would write a sequel to the play, "The Men from the Boys," in 2002.
From the collection of Paul McMahon, a critic, photographer and artist who worked for more than 13 years touring with Marlene Dietrich as the icon’s stage manager, announcer, dresser, secretary and escort, and later spent 25 years as an arts and entertainment reviewer and photographer with Gay Community News, Esplanade, Tommy’s Connection, The Mirror, Bay Windows and other publications.
Crowley, Mart. (1935-2020) & Frey, Leonard. (1938–1988) & La Tourneaux, Robert. (1940–1986). "The Boys in the Band" Collection incl. Signed Poster and Photographs.
A rare grouping of signed and other unique items related to the landmark production, including a poster (20 1/ x 13 1/2in) for the original off-Broadway stage production signed by original cast members: Frederick Combs, Leonard Frey, Cliff Gorman, Reuben Greene, Robert Latourneaux, Laurence Luckinbill, Kenneth Nelson, Keith Prentice, and Peter White; a pair of original Tom Murphy photographs of Frey and La Tourneaux as Harold and Cowboy in the original production. A typed caption to verso of each photograph reads "Leonard Frey and Robert La Tourneaux in 'The Boys in the Band' at Theatre Four, New York City, N.Y. on June 27th, 1968"; a black-and-white photograph seemingly also of La Tourneaux standing on a stage (face hard to positively identify in the photograph's lighting). Photographs in fine condition, each 7 x 5 inches (17.8 x 12.7 cm); Signed excised title and half title of The Boys in the Band (New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1968), half title inscribed to Paul McMahon to half title: "N.Y.C. 11/21/1968 To: Paul – I've never done this – You're #1 Thank you! Affectionally, Mart." 8 x 5 inches (20.3 x 12.5 cm). In fine condition.
Mart Crowley's off-Broadway play, about a group of gay men who gather at an apartment to celebrate a birthday, ran for over 1000 performances at Theatre Four from April 15, 1968 to September 6, 1970. As this was before the Stonewall riots and homophobia was still the societal norm, the play could only be staged off-Broadway, but it turned out to be a success, and the production soon moved to a larger venue. It was obvious that the time had come for the subject matter. "According to Crowley, his motivation in writing the play was not activism, but anger that 'had partially to do with myself and my career, but it also had to do with the social attitude of people around me, and the laws of the day'. He says he 'wanted the injustice of it all — to all those characters — known'. Crowley has also stated, 'I was not an activist, then or now. I didn't know what hit me. I just wrote the truth.' "
In addition to being a landmark piece of queer theatre, the play also found significant mainstream success, and served as an inspiration and rallying point for many who would participate in the burgeoning gay rights movement. It was revived on Broadway for its 50th anniversary in 2018 with an all-star cast, winning the Tony for Best Revival of a Play. William Friedkin would direct a film version in 1970, adapted by Crowley from his play, and Crowley would write a sequel to the play, "The Men from the Boys," in 2002.
From the collection of Paul McMahon, a critic, photographer and artist who worked for more than 13 years touring with Marlene Dietrich as the icon’s stage manager, announcer, dresser, secretary and escort, and later spent 25 years as an arts and entertainment reviewer and photographer with Gay Community News, Esplanade, Tommy’s Connection, The Mirror, Bay Windows and other publications.