MTC presents Choir Boy by Tarell Alvin McCraney, Oscar-winning screenwriter of Moonlight and a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship Grant. Directing is Trip Cullman (Murder Ballad).
For half a century, the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys has been dedicated to the education of strong, ethical black men. One talented student has been waiting for years to take his rightful place as the leader of the legendary gospel choir. But can he make his way through the hallowed halls of this institution if he sings in his own key? On its US debut at MTC's Studio at Stage II, The New York Times called the play "vivid, magnetic and moving," and The New York Post hailed it as "bracing and provocative." Now, we"re thrilled to bring this soaring music-filled work to Broadway.
Choir Boy features music direction, arrangements, & original music by Jason Michael Webb; scenic & costume design by David Zinn; lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski; original music & sound design by Fitz Patton; hair & makeup design by Cookie Jordan; fight direction by Thomas Schall; and choreography by Camille A. Brown.
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With Moonlight still looming so presently in our current cultural conscious, McCraney's past work, accompanied by this brief premise, paints a more solemn coming-of-age tale, which makes the joy that bursts forth from this cast of largely budding talents unexpected and well balanced. In addition to low, from-the-gut laughs, largely coming from Pharus' whip-smart comebacks ('I've never missed a key of G since I was 3'), AJ (John Clay III), Pharus' friend and roommate, offers brotherly warmth and acceptance as a tall, jock baseball player.
Director Trip Cullman has a buoyant feel for the play's comedy and, along with arranger and music director Jason Michael Webb, he gives Choir Boy's songs the front-and-center treatment they deserve. The play is an undercover, and gorgeous, a cappella musical, kept aloft by the extraordinary vocal talents of its cast.
2013 | Off-Broadway |
Manhattan Theatre Club Off-Broadway Production Off-Broadway |
2019 | Broadway |
Manhattan Theatre Club Original Broadway Production Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Camille A. Brown |
2019 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music in a Play | Jason Michael Webb |
2019 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Sound Design in a Play | Fitz Patton |
2019 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Jeremy Pope |
2019 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play | Choir Boy |
2019 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Play | Jeremy Pope |
2019 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Feature Actor in a Play | John Clay III |
2019 | Theatre World Awards | Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance | Jeremy Pope |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Choreography | Camille A. Brown |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play | Jeremy Pope |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Play | Tarell Alvin McCraney |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Sound Design of a Play | Fitz Patton |
2019 | Tony Awards | Special Tony Awards | Jason Michael Webb |
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