Funny, Relevant, Entertaining, Great set, Great cast
See it if
You'd like a sense of how far gay rights & identity have come in the last 60 yrs; a funny if flawed play that attempts much, mostly succeeds
Don't see it if
You're closed-minded to the point of homophobia/intolerance: 'good bet you won't enjoy or get the jokes—'less you've been closeted: then go!
A good, well balanced ensemble cast; a deceivingly simple, ingenious set and lighting; very smooth and nimble direction; a quick-paced and mostly witty script — all make for an entertaining, if at times heavy-handed experience that could be much more affecting and more haunting.
The dramatically necessary ripped-from-the-headlines immediacy at times becomes political screed, sounding more like author-venting than character. Similarly, a long scene about books and authors and others about parenting and the wayward Bryan seem a bit much.
In all, restraint could better balance & focus these two sets of "boys" at their “certain ages,” surviving the past and present respectively, and all looking towards an uncertain future.
Boys succeeds more than it doesn't. It's entertaining, funny, and certainly touches anyone who survived those heady times; but there’s a tighter, more moving & rewarding play for everyone else in there, trying to get out. Hopefully this run will help; meantime, go.
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