Choir Boy explores the dual challenges associated with the intersection of racism and homophobia. Darion “Sean” Davis stars as Pharus, a gifted singer at a preparatory school who is both Black and gay. As you might imagine, his character is the target of bullying and verbal harassment. However, Pharus can dish it out as well as he can take it, so he does not come off as a helpless victim. Davis’s portrayal is complex and layered.
Marquas Fountain is solid as Headmaster Morrow. Fountain has the strong demeanor necessary to play this authority figure with high credibility. Anthony Zbrzezny plays the doddering Mr. Pendleton with wit and style. He delivers some of the funniest lines in the show. The rest of the students played by Aden Jackson, Ian Sanchez-Herasme, David C. Brown, Jr. and Joseph Miller each brought additional unique dimensions to the story.
Choir Boy might best be described as a play with music. There are multiple songs throughout the show. The members of the student choir have remarkable harmony together. The vocals were lush. To be honest, the singing in this production was as good or better than some of the recent Ephrata musicals. Kudos to vocal director, Jeanette Wehye. Several numbers have outstanding step dancing as well. I did not notice a credited choreographer for the show, but the moves were crisp and well-synchronized.
Reji Woods directs the show with efficiency and thought. While some of the show’s settings are more abstract than others, scenes are blocked with extreme clarity.
My sole criticism of the show lies with the script. The conflict is relatively low stakes. I kept expecting a bigger “punch in the gut” since this show deals with challenges of bigotry. Similarly, these characters are all wealthy, talented, and smart. At the end of the day, most of them are going to do OK.
Playing now through June 7.
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