STAGE TO SCREEN: An Online Film & Theater Discussion Group

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About us

Celebrating 5 years of theater-to-film cinema.

We examine the transformation of dramatic literature from the stage to the screen. Our selections bridge the worlds of theater and cinema, focusing on text, staging alterations, and performance history.

What We Watch:

Adaptations: Plays translated for both the large and small screen.
Archival Recordings: Quality documentation of actual stage performances.
Context: Films and documentaries exploring life and work within the theater.

Our Programming Scope:
We engage with every style of international performance history. Our selections span from accessible classical dramas to highly challenging avant-garde and expressionist theatrical productions.

Logistics & Participation:

When: Alternate weeks at 6:00 P.M. PST.
Where: Online via Meetup link.
Format: We operate as an open, democratic conversation space. Sharing your thoughts is always welcome, but never required—feel free to join just to listen.
Note: Reading the play script is entirely optional, and you are welcome to log on to listen even if you have not seen the film or read the text. Casual arrivals and departures are completely fine.

Featured event

William Friedkin's THE BOYS IN THE BAND (1970)

Tue, Oct 20 · 6:00 PM PDT

Online

“Harold is celebrating his birthday, and his friend Michael has drafted some other gay friends to help commemorate the event. As the evening progresses, the alcohol flows, the knives come out, and the arrival of a heterosexual friend unleashes dormant and unspoken emotions.”

THE BOYS IN THE BAND (1970)

Directed by: William Friedkin
Screenplay by: Mart Crowley, based on his 1968 play
With: Kenneth Nelson, Frederick Combs, Cliff Gorman, and Keith Prentice
Runtime: 1 hour 58 mins
Where to watch: Check justwatch for information on streaming or renting: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-boys-in-the-band-1970

The Original Play
Written by: Mart Crowley
First Performed: 1968
Optional Script Link: Read the original text at https://archive.org/details/boysinband01crow/page/n9/mode/2up

This is a participatory conversation. We log on at 6:00 PM PST, hear a bit about the play's history, share our reactions to Friedkin's adaptation, and discuss the film's staging, script translation, performances, themes, and cinematic vs. theatrical qualities together.

Note: Most participants watch the film beforehand, but you are welcome to join just to listen if you haven't seen it yet. Reading the play script is entirely optional.