'The Boys in the Band' Revived at Cider Mill Stage

Groundbreaking 1960s play explores themes of family, authenticity, and acceptance.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Cider Mill Stage in Endicott, New York is staging a production of the 1968 play "The Boys in the Band" by Mart Crowley. The play, considered groundbreaking when it first premiered Off-Broadway, was later revived on Broadway in 2018. The one-act play follows nine friends who gather for a birthday party, with tensions rising as secrets and unresolved issues are exposed.

Why it matters

"The Boys in the Band" is a seminal work that explored LGBTQ+ themes and perspectives at a time when such representation was rare on the stage. The play's revival at the Cider Mill Stage provides a chance for modern audiences to engage with these powerful themes around family, authenticity, and acceptance.

The details

Actor Chris Vanderwerker, who plays the character Emery, notes that the play touches on "heavy-hitting material" that can resonate with audiences today. The production runs from February 27 through March 8 at the Cider Mill Stage in Endicott.

  • The play first premiered Off-Broadway in 1968.
  • The play was later revived on Broadway in 2018.
  • The Cider Mill Stage production runs from February 27 through March 8, 2026.

The players

Mart Crowley

The playwright who wrote "The Boys in the Band" in 1968, considered a groundbreaking work for its exploration of LGBTQ+ themes.

Chris Vanderwerker

The actor playing the role of Emery in the Cider Mill Stage production of "The Boys in the Band".

Cider Mill Stage

The theater in Endicott, New York that is staging a production of "The Boys in the Band" from February 27 through March 8, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Some people feel some central themes around family, some themes around struggles, some themes around being your authentic self, some themes about acceptance. So there's just some heavy-hitting material that comes out of this piece.”

— Chris Vanderwerker, Actor (binghamtonhomepage.com)

What’s next

Tickets for the Cider Mill Stage production of "The Boys in the Band" are available at CiderMillStage.com.

The takeaway

The revival of "The Boys in the Band" at the Cider Mill Stage provides a chance for modern audiences to engage with the play's powerful themes around LGBTQ+ identity, family, and acceptance - themes that were groundbreaking when the play first premiered in 1968 and remain relevant today.