Ryan Murphy's Boys in the Band Revival Has Found Its Cowboy

The band is back in town and, yes, they're gayer than ever. The 2018 revival of the now-infamous 1968 play is heading back to Broadway and they've found their Cowboy. For those who missed out on the historic play (and film), it's focus on a group of gay friends in the pre-Stonewall era was largely panned by the LGBTQ community for perpetuating gay stereotypes, but has become a time capsule into one of the first major depictions of gay characters on Broadway and film.

Related | #TBT: Landmark Play The Boys in the Band Premiered 48 Years Ago Today

With the revival of the divisive play, openly gay Teen Wolf actor Charlie Carver has been announced as the final cast member in a production that includes Matt Bomer, Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, and Jim Parsons. The new production is being directed by Joe Mantello and produced by Ryan Murphy and David Stone, with a premiere date set for April 30, 2018.

In a statement about the play, Murphy praised the cultural history of the production. "The significance of The Boys in the Band cannot be underestimated. In 1968, Mart Crowley made theatrical history by giving voice to gay men onstage, in this uncompromising, blisteringly honest and wickedly funny play."

"The play was groundbreaking in its exploration of how gay men treated each other and how they were made to feel about themselves. And while some attitudes have thankfully shifted, it's important to be reminded of what we have overcome and how much further we still have to go." Stone added, "Everything has changed. And nothing has changed."

The new Broadway production will begin a limited 15-week engagement on April 30 running through August 12, the official opening is scheduled for May 31.