CHOIR BOY Anchors Acts of Faith Festival at Richmond Triangle Players

Richmond Triangle Players and The Heritage Ensemble Theater Company light up Richmond's Acts of Faith Festival with their highly-anticipated production of Tarrell Alvin McCraney's play Choir Boy.

Sponsored by Barcode, the production - about learning how to sing in your own true key - opens Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 8 pm, following a low-priced preview on Wednesday, February 22, and runs through March 17.

McCraney's play takes place at the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys, which 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? Choir Boyis a coming of age story -- a moving tale story about love and acceptance, surviving bullying, full of intriguing young characters whose lives are held together by the Gospel music they sing beautifully together, and the humanity they and we all share.

The New York Times raved about the play saying "The sweet harmonies of classic spirituals unite the sometimes fractious voices of the young men in Choir Boy... but when they raise their voices in unison, they offer a glimpse of a world in which the cruelty that can divide and destroy is dissolved in a graceful, embracing order. [An] affecting and honest portrait...of a gay youth tentatively beginning to find the courage to let the truth about himself become known." And the New York Post exclaimed, "it soars!"

Best known for his acclaimed trilogy The Brother/Sister Plays, American playwright and actor Tarell Alvin McCraney has been described as the heir to August Wilson's legacy and "without question, the hottest young playwright in America" by the Chicago Tribune. His play Head of Passes premiered at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, where he is a member of the ensemble. He was recently appointed as the incoming chair of playwriting at the Yale School of Drama. McCraney has forged an international reputation, including an association with the Royal Shakespeare Company and London's Royal Court Theatre. His unproduced work In Moonlight, Black Boys Look Blue formed the basis for the Oscar nominated film Moonlight.

The central role of Pharus will be portrayed by Jamar Jones. The other students at the Charles R. Drew Prep School will be played by Akiel Baldwin, Jay Banks, Elijah Jefferson and Keaton Hillman, with Christopher Dunn as the choir's sponsor Mr. Pendleton, and Vegas Krane as the school's Headmaster.

Choir Boy will be directed by Margarette Joyner, artistic director of The Heritage Ensemble Theater Company, with Musical Direction by Anthony Ford. Set design is by Vinnie Gonzalez, costume design is by Alex Valentin, lighting design is by Michael Jarett and the production's stage manager is Shalandis Wheeler.

All performances will take place at Richmond Triangle Players' theater at 1300 Altamont Avenue, just northwest of the intersection of the Boulevard and West Broad Street. Reserved seat tickets ($30 for Fridays and Saturdays evenings at 8:00 pm, $28 for Thursday evenings at 8:00 pm and Sunday matinees at 4:00 pm, with discounts for groups and students) can be purchased online at RTP's web site at www.rtriangle.org, on RTP's facebook page, or by leaving a message on the RTP Ticket hotline at 804-346-8113.

RTP's theater at 1300 Altamont Avenue is a 4000-square foot performing arts facility accommodating flexible seating arrangements for up to 90 patrons. The building features fully ADA-compliant access and comfortable restrooms, as well as a generous bar, and catering capability, and is also available for cabaret performances and private events.