It’s not often audience members have a chance to see a glimpse of New York acted out on a stage in Iowa as it is happening in Greenwich Village.

“The Last Sunday in June,” which opens Friday at the Stoner Theater in Des Moines, takes place in the apartment of a gay couple, overlooking the Gay Pride Parade in New York.

Stacy Brothers, an Ames resident and the director of the play, says the play is especially timely because the final performance will be the last Sunday of June. She says the play has been called a modern version of the gay-themed play, “The Boys in the Band.”

“This is kind of that same formula, but in a modern-day context,” she says. “It doesn’t poke fun, but they kind of satirize it.”

During the play, Michael and Tom’s gay friends visit them at their apartment to witness the parade occurring down below. Brothers says the revelations that occur make for a “comedy with a dark side.”

“They kind of play a truth game,” she says.

Brian Kramer, Des Moines resident, plays Joe, a friend of the couple who comes out and experiences his first gay pride event.

Kramer says the main conflicts of the play are centered around Michael and Tom’s seemingly perfect relationship and James, a gay man, who announces he is marrying a woman.

“The gay world is very competitive, and he’s tired of competing,” Kramer says. “He wants to have a relationship.”

Scott Bradley, a Des Moines native who resides in Chicago, plays Michael. He says the conflict between Michael and Tom is similar to that of many “ideal” couples.

“They work so hard to maintain that picture that, in turn, that relationship begins to crumble,” he says. “Both of them are still seeking validation from the outside.”

Kramer says audience members will have a unique vantage point when watching the play and a sound system will provide the sounds of the parade so audience members will never forget it is occurring simultaneously.

“The windows are open, they’re center stage,” Kramer says. “The audience is, in a way, the parade. I think they will be pleasantly surprised.”

Brothers says the play is special to her because she works with two of her close friends, Bradley and Todd Buchacker, who plays Tom.

“I think it makes for a certain amount of instant camaraderie,” she says. “When you have camaraderie off the stage, it can’t help but be shown on stage.”

Kramer says because his character has recently become openly gay, is young and indiscriminate, he had to look at the world like he was seeing it for the first time to step into the role.

“He’s just energetic and so excited about everything he sees,” he says. “Every piece of furniture is the most exciting new thing.”

Brothers says since the play is essentially about relationships, anybody could relate to it.

“I don’t think you have to be gay to enjoy this play,” she says.