Ridgefield Playhouse Film Society Presents THE BOYS IN THE BAND with Actor Q&A, 6/30

THE BOYS IN THE BAND is a classic 1970 film directed by William Friedkin, and co-stars Laurence Luckinbill as an out-of-the-closet husband and father. The screenplay by Mart Crowley is based on his hit Off-Broadway play of the same title. "THE BOYS IN THE BAND is not a musical" read the film's original ads. As the first major film studio production to deal frankly with homosexuality, every member of the show's original Off-Broadway cast ap- pears in the iconic film, including Laurence Luckinbill.

William Friedkin, the film's director, is best known for directing THE FRENCH CONNECTION in 1971 and THE EXORCIST in 1973, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Director.

The ensemble cast, all of whom also played the roles in the play's initial stage run in New York City, includes Laurence 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. Model/actress Maud Adams has a brief cameo appearance as a fashion model in a photo shoot segment in the opening montage of scenes.

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, arrives and helps Michael 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 photogra- pher, 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 but does appear unexpectedly and throws the gathering into turmoil.

At the Q&A following the screening , veteran actor Laurence Luckinbill will discuss the making of THE BOYS IN THE BAND from Off-Broadway to the big screen.

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013 • 6:30 PM HOSTS • Ira Joe Fisher • MORTON DEAN

ADULTS $10 • SENIORS $7.50 • STUDENTS $5.00

For Information/Tickets call (203) 438-5795 • ridgefieldplayhouse.org

The Ridgefield Playhouse • 80 East Ridge Ave., Ridgefield, CT 06877