Yes, They Made “Trick” a Musical—and It’s Exactly What We Needed
The cast of “Trick! The Musical” at Out Front Theatre (Photo by Sydney Lee).
by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder
There are some films you just hold onto.
For many in the queer community—Trick is one of them. That sweet, funny, sexy little 1999 indie gem that said, “Hey, maybe romance can exist for two guys in New York City, even if the subway stalls and your roommate won’t leave.” It wasn’t a blockbuster, it wasn’t a gay tragedy, it didn’t center coming out or AIDS or shame—it was just about a boy and a boy trying to get to know each other, maybe hook up, maybe fall in love. A quiet kind of revolutionary.
I first saw it in college, introduced by my theatre friends—the kind of friends who showed you Angels in America and Hedwig and every bootleg Broadway cast recording under the sun. They handed Trick to me like a secret: “You’re gonna love this one.” And they were right. I did. I still do.
And now… it’s a musical.
Trick: The Musical just had its world premiere in Atlanta, at the incredible Out Front Theatre Company—an LGBTQIA+ theater that actually walks the walk when it comes to celebrating and uplifting queer voices. The musical has a book by Trick’s original screenwriter Jason Schafer and music by Arthur Lafrentz Bacon, and it’s just thrilling to see this story not only come back to life, but sing.
It’s a reminder that our stories don’t have to stay small. They can evolve. They can be told again. And they deserve stages and spotlights and encores.
I’m not here to give you a full review or break down the songs one by one, because I haven’t seen it(but it’s getting positive reviews). I’m here to say how much it means that a show like this exists. That it opened not in New York or L.A., but in Atlanta—a city that’s become a powerhouse for culture and creativity, especially in queer spaces. A city where young artists and audiences can experience this kind of love story and maybe see a piece of themselves in it.
And let’s talk about timing. This premiere didn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s happening in 2025, in a country where queer and trans people are still under legislative attack, where drag shows are being targeted, and where simply living out loud can still feel like an act of defiance. So for a musical like Trick to premiere now, to proudly wave its queer flag, and to do so with heart, humor, and a go-go boy? That matters.
It also matters that this isn’t a giant commercial production trying to squeeze profit from Pride. This is theater made by and for the community, with love and intention. Out Front’s artistic director Paul Conroy even said, “You don't have to have a $30 million budget or Broadway or the top A-list stars to be impactful.” Preach.
This is how queer history lives on. Not just through archives or documentaries or hashtags—but through art. Through shows that laugh and kiss and sing and dance and say, “Hey, we’re still here, and we’re still falling in love.”
So bravo to Trick: The Musical, and to Out Front Theatre Company for giving it a home. Bravo to the cast and crew who brought it to life. Bravo to everyone in that audience who felt the joy of recognition and the thrill of possibility.
And to anyone out there who loved Trick the movie: now’s the time to love it all over again. It’s got new music, new life, and the same tender heart that made it so special in the first place. It’s running till May 17th. I hope you get a chance to see it!