A year ago today, I saw Matt McGrath go on for Jim Parsons in The Boys in the Band. It was his first and only time doing so, and I'm still so happy I could be there that night. The following is all the differences I noticed in their portrayals. To clarify, I am NOT saying I liked one better than the other. I'm simply pointing the differences out.
*Jim's lip syncing in the opening scene was more for himself, while Matt's felt more like a performance.
*While most of the actors are around the same age in real life, Matt reads a bit older to me, which affects the dynamic of the friend group.
*All Jim needed was the one drink to "get hostile." Matt's decline was more of a slow burn, as he got meaner with each drink. Both of these choices were extremely effective for me, and this was the biggest difference I picked up on.
*Jim's breakdown at the end read to me as an immediate panic attack while Matt's seemed to come from a place of guilt. Again, more of a slow burn.
That's all I came up with. Short, but super effective list. I hope to see Matt on stage again soon! And I still miss this show every day.