Pictured: Sam Bell Gurwitz

Windy City Playhouse has announced the cast and design team for Mart Crowley’s “The Boys in the Band,” directed by Associate Artistic Director Carl Menninger.

The cast features Sam Bell Gurwitz as Harold, Christian Edwin Cook as Alan, Jordan Dell Harris as Donald, Jackson Evans as Michael, James Lee as Larry, Kyle Patrick as Cowboy, Ryan Reilly as Hank and Denzel Tsopnang as Bernard. The role of Emory will be announced at a future date.

The creative team for the show includes William Boles (Scenic Designer), Uriel Gomez (Costume Designer), Erik Barry (Lighting Designer), Sarah Espinoza (Sound Designer), Mealah Heidenreich (Properties Designer & Set Dressing), Max Fabian (Violence & Intimacy Diretor), Jenniffer Thusing (Production Stage Manager), Spencer Fritz (Assistant Stage Manager), Jonah White (Master Electrician), Jonathan Schleyer (Technical Director) and Ellen White (Production Manager).

Set in 1968, the play takes place at the birthday party of Harold, who is turning 32. Luckily, friend-enemy Michael is there with six mutual friends to help him ease into the big three-two. The party is all jokes and quips until the host proposes a harmless game of truth or dare. Suddenly, each must reckon with his sexual identity — out, closeted, flamboyant, or “passing” — in an oppressive world where self-love is a luxury.

“Coming out, living in the closet, being discriminated against because someone is queer is still a problem in this country (and even more so in the world),” comments Menninger. “We’re looking forward to presenting such a historic and important piece that began the journey of gay theatre in America. ‘The Boys in the Band’ was relevant in 1968 and is just as relevant today.”

“The Boys in the Band” begins January 29, 2020. For more information visit windycityplayhouse.com.