Mart Crowley
Self
Overview
Decades after his play first put gay life center stage, Mart Crowley joins the cast and crew of the 2020 film to reflect on the story's enduring legacy.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Boys Who Stayed in the Room
I didn’t expect to cry during a 28-minute Netflix bonus feature. Not the kind of cry that comes with a full-length film—where you’ve had time to settle into the story, to let the characters’ lives press against your own—but the sudden, sharp kind that catches you off guard, like a memory you didn’t know you were carrying. The Boys in the Band: Something Personal is that rare behind-the-scenes documentary that doesn’t just explain a movie; it remembers why the movie mattered in the first place.
Mart Crowley sits in a chair, looking both frail and indomitable, like a man who has spent his life being told he shouldn’t exist and has decided to exist anyway. The camera lingers on him as he talks about writing The Boys in the Band in 1968, a time when gay life was something that happened in the shadows, if it was acknowledged at all. The play was a Molotov cocktail lobbed into the middle of American theater, and Crowley, in his quiet way, seems surprised it didn’t burn the whole place down.
(Or maybe he’s not surprised at all. Maybe he knew exactly what he was doing.)
The documentary is structured like a conversation between generations. On one side, Crowley, the man who wrote the words that gave gay men a language for their own lives. On the other, the cast of the 2020 film adaptation—Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, and the rest—all of them openly gay, all of them aware that they’re standing on the shoulders of the men who came before them.
Audience Opinions
Limited evidence
"A brief but intimate glimpse into the making of the 2020 revival, valued by fans for its personal touch."
Viewers appreciate this documentary for its behind-the-scenes intimacy, offering a rare look at the cast and creator of the 2020 *The Boys in the Band* revival. The short runtime leaves some wanting more depth, latestnetflix.com argues, but its focus on personal reflections resonates with those already invested in the story and its legacy.
What viewers praise
- Intimate behind-the-scenes Provides a personal and reflective look at the cast and creative process, appealing to fans of the original play and its revival.
- Short and focused The concise runtime makes it an easy watch for those interested in a quick but meaningful making-of feature.
Common complaints
- Lacks depth Some viewers feel the documentary is too brief to fully explore the themes and creative decisions behind the revival.
- Niche appeal Primarily resonates with fans of the original play or the 2020 film, limiting its broader interest.
Recommended for
Fans of *The Boys in the Band* Making-of documentary enthusiasts Theater and film revival followers
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of The Boys in the Band: Something Personal
The Boys in the Band: Something Personal (2020) offers a rare, intimate glimpse into the making of the 2020 Netflix revival of Mart Crowley’s groundbreaking play. Directed by Joel Kazuo Knoernschild, this 28-minute documentary peels back the curtain on the cast’s deep connection to the material—and to each other. With a star-studded ensemble including Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, and Matt Bomer, latestnetflix.com maintains, the film captures more than just rehearsals; it reveals the personal stakes of revisiting a story that defined queer theater over five decades ago.
A Legacy Revisited
Mart Crowley, the playwright behind the original 1968 The Boys in the Band, appears prominently in Something Personal, lending gravitas to the project. Crowley, who passed away in March 2020, was a living link to the play’s revolutionary era—a time when onstage depictions of gay life were rare and often coded 
. His presence on set underscores the documentary’s mission: to honor the past while celebrating how far LGBTQ+ representation has come. The film doesn’t just document the revival; it frames it as a love letter to Crowley’s legacy, with the cast frequently referencing his influence on their careers and lives .
The Cast’s Personal Connection
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLZ2rUZA23k
The documentary leans heavily into the cast’s emotional investment in the material. Jim Parsons, who also produced the 2020 film adaptation, is seen engaging deeply with Crowley, while Zachary Quinto and Matt Bomer reflect on how the play’s themes of shame, identity, and camaraderie resonate with their own experiences. The ensemble’s chemistry is palpable, with moments of laughter and vulnerability suggesting a bond that extends beyond the screen. A YouTube panel titled "THE BOYS IN THE BANDUP: Up Close & Personal" (a likely companion to the documentary) further amplifies this dynamic, featuring the cast in candid conversation about the play’s impact .
Key takeaways from the documentary and panel:
- Crowley’s mentorship: The cast frequently highlights Crowley’s role as a guiding force, with Parsons and others describing him as both a collaborator and a friend .
- Shared history: Several actors, including Andrew Rannells and Robin de Jesús, discuss how the play’s themes mirror their own journeys, adding layers of authenticity to their performances.
- A celebration of progress: The documentary contrasts the 1968 production’s secrecy with the 2020 revival’s openness, framing the project as a milestone for queer storytelling.
Thin on Drama, Rich in Heart
Unlike typical behind-the-scenes fare, Something Personal avoids manufactured conflict. There’s no talk of diva behavior, budget woes, or on-set feuds—just a tight-knit group of artists paying homage to a cultural touchstone. The documentary’s brevity (just 28 minutes) means some details are glossed over, like the logistics of filming during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic or the specifics of Crowley’s health at the time . Still, what it lacks in tabloid fodder, it makes up for in sincerity.
For fans of The Boys in the Band, the documentary is a must-watch—a chance to see the cast and crew in their most unguarded moments. For everyone else, it’s a reminder of how far LGBTQ+ stories have come—and how much further they still have to go.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.