Cast Complete for JAG Productions & ArtisTree's CHOIR BOY

The complete cast is set for the upcoming Vermont Premiere of Tarell Alvin McCraney's CHOIR BOY, a gospel-infused play that will run at Briggs Opera House in White River Junction, VT. The show, directed by Jarvis Antonio Green, begins previews on November 3 and opens on November 5.

CHOIR BOY will feature Wesley Barnes as Junior Davis (Theatre Under The Stars: In the Heights), Bill Carmichael as Mr. Pendleton (Broadway: Mamma Mia, Les Miserables, Cats, and Peter Pan), John Carter as Bobby Marrow, Alex Grayson as Anthony Justin "AJ" James, Eric Pinnick as Headmaster Marrow (A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden directed by Susan Stroman), Claxton Rabb as David Heard and Will T. Travis as Pharus JoNathan Young.

The Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys is dedicated to the creation of strong, ethical black men. Pharus wants nothing more than to take his rightful place as leader of the school's legendary gospel choir. Can he find his way inside the hallowed halls of this institution if he sings in his own key?

The creative team for CHOIR BOY includes: Dan Daly (scenic design), Brian Lilienthal (lighting design), Holly Levison (costume design), Tim Mikovitz (sound design), and Darius Smith (music director).

JAG Productions mission is to produce bold theater that reflects the times. The company's goal is for the community to come to the theater to hear new stories and leave inspired or as Green says, "shifted". The company aims for its patrons to move through the world with more love, greater kindness, and greater compassion for one another after seeing a production.

Tickets for CHOIR BOY can be purchased by calling ArtisTree (802-457-3500) or visiting www.ArtisTreeVT.org or www.JAGProductionsVT.com

Performance Schedule:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6 (OPENING NOVEMBER 5): Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 PM. Matinee on Saturday at 2:00 PM, matinee on Sunday at 5:00 PM. JAG Productions will host a reception at Briggs Opera House Friday, November 5th, following the performance for the audience and company of Choir Boy. Please join us for this unique opportunity to meet the cast and crew!

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13: Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 PM. Matinee on Saturday at 2:00 PM, matinee on Sunday at 5:00 PM. JAG Productions will host a post show discussion following the performance on Friday, November 11, with guest speakers J. Michael Kinsey (Cornell University), Rev. Bertram Johnson (The Riverside Church in the City of New York) to discuss black masculinity, and the intersection of religion and sexuality.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20: Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 PM. Matinee on Saturday at 2:00 PM, matinee on Sunday at 5:00 PM. Post show discussion Friday, November 18, with the audience and cast to discuss themes of the play.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Tarell Alvin McCraney (Playwright) is best known for his acclaimed trilogy, The Brother/Sister Plays: The Brothers Size, In the Red and Brown Water, and Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet. They have been performed at McCarter Theater in Princeton, The Public Theater in New York, Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, at a trio of theaters in the Bay Area: Marin Theatre Company, ACT, and Magic Theatre, as well as the Young Vic in London (Olivier Award nomination) and around the world. Other plays include The Breach (Southern Rep, Seattle Rep), Wig Out! (Sundance Theatre Institute, Royal Court, and Vineyard Theatre - GLAAD Award for Outstanding Play), and American Trade (Royal Shakespeare Company/Hampstead Theatre). Tarell was the Royal Shakespeare Company's International Playwright in Residence in 2009-2011, where he co-edited and directed the Young People's Shakespeare production of Hamlet which toured throughout the UK and was presented at the Park Avenue Armory in New York. He is the recipient of the prestigious Whiting Award and Steinberg Playwright Award, as well as London's Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright, the inaugural New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award, and the inaugural Paula Vogel Playwriting Award. He is a graduate from the New World School of the Arts High School, the Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, and the Yale School of Drama. He is a resident playwright at New Dramatists and a member of Teo Castellanos/D-Projects in Miami.

Jarvis Antonio Green (Director) is the Founding Producing Artistic Director of JAG Productions and BarnArts Center for the Arts. He is the former Director of Theatre Arts at ArtisTree Community Arts Center right outside of beautiful Woodstock, VT. Jarvis received his training at the prestigious Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City, Anderson University and South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts. Directing credits: Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Fiddler on the Roof (ArtisTree Theatre Company), The 39 Steps, Master Class, Porgy and Bess in Concert, Oliver!, Grease, Little Shop of Horrors (BarnArts Center for the Arts), Suessical the Musical (NCCT). Acting credits: My Heart is the Drum (World Premiere), Once On This Island, The Who's Tommy (Village Theatre), Twelfth Night (RAW Shakespeare Company), Our Town, Clybourne Park, Twelve Angry Men (Northern Stage), The Wizard of Oz, Pirates of Penzance (Pentangle Arts), Ragtime (New London Barn Playhouse), Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, A Chorus Line, La Cage Aux Folles, A New Brain (Capital Playhouse), Smokey Joe's Café (Bellevue Civic Theatre), The Buddy Holly Story (5th Ave Theatre), Stardust (Harlequin Playhouse), The Play's The Thing, Black Nativity, Our Town (Intiman Theatre). A proud member of Actors Equity Association. www.jarvisantoniogreen.com; Twitter: @jarvisantonio; Instagram: @jarvis_antonio; Facebook: @JarvisAntonioGreen

Wesley Barnes (Junior Davis) is a Los Angeles native currently residing in New York City. He received his BA in Theatre Performance with Minors in Musical Theatre and Communications. Favorite credits include: In the Heights (TUTS), Footloose (Ren), Proof (Hal), Chicago, Reckless. He has toured internationally as a choral vocalist and with dance companies throughout Europe and Taiwan. Many thanks to God, family, friends and JAG Productions for this opportunity. Jer 29:11

Bill Carmichael (Mr. Pendleton) was last seen on Broadway in Mamma Mia. Other Broadway credits include Les Miserables, Cats, and Peter Pan. Bill was in the original production of Forbidden Broadway and can be heard on the original cast recording. In Los Angeles he was in the original US premiere of Ragtime, Forever Plaid and Sweeney Todd with Kelsey Grammer , Neil Patrick Harris and Christine Baranski. 1st National tours include Phantom of the Opera, City of Angels, Ragtime and Cats. Bill's many local productions include Other Desert Cities (Vermont Stage), The Crucible (Northern Stage), Sight Unseen (Flynn Space), and 16 productions at Saint Michaels Playhouse. Having worked with Jarvis last year on Laughter on the 23rd Floor (ArtisTree Theatre Company) - Bill is thrilled to be in JAG Productions inaugural production. He lives in Vergennes where he owns and operates the Emerson House B&B with his wife Sue.

John Henry Carter (Bobby Marrow) is a graduate from Otterbein University where he played such roles as Hanschen in Spring Awakening and Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. He toured with the Theatreworks USA production of Click Clack Moo! in 2014. He recently finished a season at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, playing such roles as Antipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors, the Duke in Cinderella, and ensemble in Beauty & The Beast. Choir Boy is an honest and beautifully written play that strikes home for John, and he is truly honored to be a part of this production. Jhc5000@gmail.com

Alex Grayson (Anthony Justin "AJ" James) is thrilled to be playing the role of AJ in Choir Boy. Alex is a native of Watertown, New York. Some of his previous work includes : Zuccotti Park (2016 NYC Fringe), Toy Story: The Musical (Disney Cruise Line) and Rent (Walter Gloor Stage). Alex is an alumni of SUNY Fredonia.

Erick Pinnick (Headmaster Marrow) was most recently seen in New York in the new musical, The Joint, as Melvin Brinkley opposite Brenda Braxton. Other NYC credits include Tin Pan Alley Rag with Roundabout Theatre Company and A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden. He appeared in the national tour of Sunset Boulevard starring Petula Clark and the European tour of Jesus Christ Superstar as Pilate. In 2015, he was nominated for a Broadway World Award for his performance of Alan in Baby at Infinity Theatre. Previous roles include Henry in Race, Eugene in Yellowman, Curtis in Dreamgirls, Mitch in Spelling Bee, Tinman in The Wiz, Jake in Side Show and Valentin in Kiss of the Spiderwoman. Recordings include Lost Broadway The Songs of Jerome Kern and Follies at Papermill Playhouse. Mr. Pinnick is a graduate of James Madison University and a proud member of Actors Equity Association. www.erickpinnick.com.

Clayton Rabb (David Heard) National Tour: Three Little Birds (2nd National Tour). Regional: Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter), 8 by Dustin Lance Black (Spencer), Freedom Summer (James Forman). Collegiate: Rent (Angel), A Year With Frog and Toad (Toad), Spring Awakening (Otto), The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom), The Way of Water (Jimmy). Member of the National Broadway Chorus. Recent graduate with honors from the American University, B.A. Musical Theatre. All the love and thanks to my family for their endless support! www.claxtonrabb.com; Instagram: @claxtonrabb

Will T. Travis (Pharus JoNathan Young) is a native of Birmingham, Alabama and is thrilled to be making his debut with JAG Productions! Previous credits include: Twelfth Night (Orsino), To Kill A Mockingbird (Tom Robinson), Hairspray (Seaweed), The Little Mermaid (Sebastian). Special thanks to my friends and family for their continued support and everyone involved in this Production. God Bless! @willttravis

For more information about JAG Productions and Choir Boy, visit www.JAGProductionsVT.com or call 802-332-3270.