Cast and Creative Team Announced for the Chicago Premiere of Tarell Alvin McCraney's CHOIR BOY

Raven Theatre Company's 35th anniversary season will begin in September with the Chicago premiere of Choir Boy by recent Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney who, together with writer-director Barry Jenkins, won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for the Academy's Best Picture winner, Moonlight.

Choir Boy, which was first produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club in New York during the summer of 2013, concerns a gay teenage boy in an all African-American prep school. The Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys is dedicated to the development of strong, ethical black men. Pharus wants nothing more than to take his rightful place as leader of the school's legendary choir. Can he find his way inside the hallowed halls of this institution if he sings in his own key? Co-founder and Producing Artistic Director Michael Menendian will direct the production to be performed in the company's 130-seat East Stage from September 27 through November 12, 2017.

The role of Pharus JoNathan Young, lead of the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys' famous choir, will be taken by Christopher W. Jones who recently appeared in In To America (Griffin Theatre) and Miss Holmes (Lifeline Theatre). In the role of Bobby Marrow - Pharus' rival for lead of the choir - will be Patrick Agada, who appeared at Raven in The Play About My Dad in 2015 and has also performed at the Goodman Theater and Chicago Shakespeare. The prep school's director and Bobby's uncle, Headmaster Marrow, will be played by Robert D. Hardaway, who appeared in To Kill A Mockingbird (Oak Park Festival Theatre) and Ruined (Eclipse Theatre). Mr. Pendleton, a professor at the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys, will be played by Don Tieri, who has recently been seen inMarvin's Room (Shattered Globe) and Blood and Gifts (Timeline). Also in the cast are Tamarus Harvell (Anthony Justin "AJ" James), Julian Terrell Otis (Junior Davis) and Darren Patin (David Heard). Understudies are Benjamin Jenkins, Ben F. Locke, Ki-Jana Moore, Jabari Khaliq, Michael Rawls, and Tom Porter.

The design team includes Ray Toler (scenic design), Diane D. Fairchild (lighting design), and Sebby Woldt (sound design), along with Mary O'Dowd (properties design and set dressing) and JoAnn Montemurro (costume design). The production team includes Kathryn McNall (stage manager), Destiney Higgins (assistant director), Frederick Harris (music director), Breon Arzell (choreographer), and Dan Laushman (technical director).

Tickets: $46.00 ($43.00 if purchased online), seniors/teachers $41.00 ($38.00 if purchased online), students/active military and veterans $15.00. Groups of 10 or more are $30 per person for Thursday and Friday performances and $35 per person forSaturday and Sunday performances. Student groups are $15.00 per person. EveryThursday is "Under 30 Thursday," when patrons under age 30 can purchase tickets for $15.00.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.raventheatre.com or by phone at 773-338-2177.

Subscriptions for the 2017-2018 Season are now on sale. Subscriptions may be purchased online at www.raventheatre.com or by telephone at 773-338-2177.

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