Gay History Recorded in ‘Boys in the Band’

Mart Crowley’s “The Boys in the Band” is essentially a social disaster play elevated by its portrayal of gay men gathering in the early ‘60s as part of an emerging community. While this production at the Knightsbridge Theatre Pasadena features some fetchingly funny characterizations, some bordering on fey, director Hugh Harrison’s humorous approach downplays the fearful tentativeness of men stepping out of the closet.

Michael (Noah Wagner) has arranged a small birthday party for Harold (Jasper Cole). Michael’s college dorm mate, Alan (David Lindstedt), phones and insists on seeing Michael that night. Alan doesn’t know Michael is gay, and his intrusion forces Michael to confront Alan in various ways, one of which includes playing a hostile party game.

Yet under Harrison’s direction, the men don’t display the inner turmoil of pioneers, daring but wondering about the repercussions. The switch from swishy abandon to bitter bullying is too abrupt and emotionally inexplicable.

Scott Scarboro as the effeminate Emory and Stephen Grove as the easygoing Bernard are infectiously joyful. Nathan J. Brown as the conservative, soon-to-be-divorced Hank has a staid dignity. Wagner’s Michael is a believably nasty drunk.

More layered performances would bring out the pathos of a marginalized group of men searching for social recognition of their sexual orientation and comfort within their own small society, despite the complications of past and potential sexual liaisons.

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* “The Boys in the Band,” Knightsbridge Theatre Pasadena, 35 S. Raymond, Pasadena. Saturdays, 5 p.m.; Sundays, 6 p.m. Ends July 22. $18. (626) 440-0821. Running time: 2 hours 10 minutes.