Photo via Instagram
Bent is one of those strange and uncanny things: a sexy play (and film) about Nazi Germany concentration camps. Martin Sherman's 1979 classic play about a group of gay men finding ways to survive persecution before and after the Night of the Long Knives. When it was written, there was little awareness about the persecution of homosexuals by the Nazis -- made to wear a pink triangle -- and the play helped increase education and historical research. The original West End production starred Ian McKellen as Max and Richard Gere performed the role in the Broadway production that premiered in November 1979 and was later nominated for a Tony for Best Play.
UPDATE: Now Moises Kaufman is directing a major revival at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles from July 26 and run until August 23 that will include Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears playing the role of Greta (played by Mick Jagger in the film adaptation, which starred Clive Owen as Max).
Shears, who will play Greta (not the role of Max as earlier reported), confirmed the casting news on Instagram, writing that he was "so happy" to be a part of the "incredible" revival. The 36-year-old will also compose the music for his character's song "Streets of Berlin," which was written by Sherman.
Watch a scene from the 1997 film adaptation of Sherman's play starring Clive Owen below:
