Making the Boys

"The Boys in the Band" is a groundbreaking play that earned historical significance by being the first successful work to authentically depict gay characters. Over a year before the Stonewall rebellion, the play found surprising success and became a must-see phenomenon around the world. It had an impact on mainstream and gay audiences in a way no creative work about homosexuals had ever done before. It stood alone for years as the premiere depiction of the gay lifestyle.

Simultaneously praised for being a landmark moment in gay visibility, and yet often condemned for reinforcing stereotypes, "The Boys in the Band" became Hollywood's first film about gays and sparked a controversy that still exists four decades later. Featuring anecdotes from the surviving cast and filmmakers, as well as perspectives by legendary figures from stage and screen, "Making the Boys" traces the behind-the-scenes drama and lasting legacy of this cultural milestone.