13 the musical lgbtq
New York Theater
Today, the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing lgbtq+ marriage nationally, seems an apt evening for my annual census of same-sex attracted characters on Broadway. At a moment when LGBTQ rights, including same-sex marriage, are under ambush , it probably shouldn’t be too surprising that there has been a fall-off from the 2023 (pre-Trump) Broadway document, when I identified nine Broadway plays or musicals running during Pride Month, most of them fresh that season, that featured out and unmistakable LGBTQ+ characters. Most are no longer around. There are only two new ones this year..
It would be ludicrous to challenge that Gay Broadway is on the wane, when more than a dozen Broadway shows are participating in a free block party tomorrow celebrating Self-acceptance Weekend, and one of the brightest and most feted new stars on the Great Shiny Way is Cole Escola. There is no denying that Broadway remains what it long has been — an industry that employs LGBTQ people; a community that has served as a refuge; and an art form that’s offered a pioneering showcase for LGBTQ characters and their stories. But the showcase fluctuates. And at the moment, attention has t
Pride Timeline: 50+ Years of LGBTQ+ Plays and Musicals
Concord Theatricals proudly represents a great number of cornerstone plays and musicals in the LGBTQ+ canon. In celebration of Pride Month, we’ve assembled a timeline of influential and groundbreaking LGBTQ-themed theatrical works, placed in the context of queer history.
In this chronological list of seminal events and selected theatrical landmarks, you’ll find a spacious variety of gay, homosexual woman and transgender characters and stories – from queer men in New York struggling with self-loathing in The Boys in the Band to a immature lesbian in North Carolina proudly facing her family in The Cake. For more information on any title, click the link to Concord Theatricals’ US or UK website.
1968: The Boys in the Band by Mart Crowley (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 9m)
This groundbreaking play premiered off-Broadway at Theatre Four on April 14, 1968 – more than a year before the Stonewall Uprising – and ran for 1,001 performances. Subsequently made into a film film with the imaginative cast, The Boys in the Band was scathing and unapologetic in its frank portrayal of homosexual men in New York. In his Upper East Side apart
Broadway's Relationship with the Homosexual Community: A History of Representation and Activism
As the curtain lifts, the history of Broadway unveils a colorful tapestry woven with diverse threads that relate tales of love, heartbreak, triumph, and resilience. Notably, one thread that has always been central to this rich tapestry is Broadway's deep-rooted relationship with the LGBTQ+ community. A symbiotic bond that has stood the test of time, the nexus between the LGBTQ+ community and Broadway has been instrumental in shaping the cultural landscape in the U.S..
For the LGBTQ+ community, Broadway has served as a platform for representation, a safe haven for verbalization, and a catalyst for change. Additionally, the Gay community has contributed significantly to the creative drive of Broadway, influencing its evolution and propelling it to the forefront of cultural discourse.
The representation of LGBTQ+ characters dates advocate to the early 20th century. While the presence of these characters served to acknowledge the life of the LGBTQ+ people, the portrayal was not always nuanced or evolving. Early depictions often leaned heavily into stereotypes, with LGBTQ+ char
13: The Musical is a Netflix Unique movie based on the hit Broadway show of the same name by Jason Robert Brown, Dan Elish, and Robert Horn. The movie is directed by Tamra Davis and featuring a cast of 13-year-olds as Evan Goldman (Eli Golden) is whisked away from his life in New York Capital after his parents’ divorce (played by Debra Messing and Peter Hermann) to live in a small town in Indiana months before his Bar Mitzvah.
The original musical was a huge deal, even if you’ve never heard of it. It is the only Broadway show to include a cast and band made up entirely of teenagers, it launched the careers of Ariana Grande and Elizabeth Gilles, and it had a niche but dedicated tracking, especially among middle schoolers who saw themselves in its simple story.
But if you find a recording of the musical now, it’s a tad cringeworthy, and not just because its pubescent teens have crackly voices and the outfits are 2000s atrocious. The plot is just a bit tough to swallow: Evan arrives in the unused town, makes a new friend, ditches her for a new group of cooler kids when school starts so his Bar Mitzvah party can be full of cold kids, hatches a plot to serve two popular
Growing Up Queer: Thoughtful Movies and TV Shows About LGBTQ+ Youth
Last updated: July 17, 2025
Puberty, hormones and emotions, new schools, evolving friendships: Growing up is hard for everyone, but it can be especially hard for queer kids and teens whose sympathetic of their gender and romantic identities is evolving. One great way to support young people through these transformative years? Contribute media with them that reflects their own triumphs, struggles, and lived experiences. The movies and TV shows on this list feature prominent, affirming stories of lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, and queer youth coming of age and navigating life. Before you go, check out our other suggestions for books featuring LGBTQ+ youth, or movies and TV shows that explore intersectionality and queer identities.
About the Author
Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media offers the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Our timely parenting tip supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age.