Full casting has been announced for Manhattan Theatre Club’s Broadway premiere of Choir Boy, by Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight, The Brother/Sister Plays) and directed by Drama Desk Award nominee Trip Cullman (Lobby Hero, Significant Other).
Joining previously announced cast members Chuck Cooper (Headmaster Marrow), Austin Pendleton (Mr. Pendleton) and Jeremy Pope (Pharus Jonathan Young) are Nicholas L. Ashe (Junior Blake), Daniel Bellomy (Ensemble), Jonathan Burke (Ensemble), Gerald Caesar (Ensemble), John Clay III (Anthony Justin “AJ” James), Caleb Eberhardt (David Heard), Marcus Gladney (Ensemble) and J. Quinton Johnson (Bobby Marrow).
Original cast members from the 2013 Off-Broadway MTC production include Nicholas L. Ashe, Chuck Cooper, Austin Pendleton, and Jeremy Pope.
Choir Boy’s creative team includes David Zinn (scenic & costume design), Peter Kaczorowski (lighting design), Fitz Patton (sound design), Cookie Jordan (make-up design), Jason Michael Webb (music direction & vocal arrangements), Thomas Schall (fight director) and Camille A. Brown (movement).
Choir Boy will now begin previews Tuesday, December 11, 2018, ahead of a Tuesday, January 8, 2019 opening at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). Choir Boy was initially announced to open on January 22, 2019, and then January 10th before this final announcement.
Choir Boy will mark Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Broadway debut as well as the second production that transfers to Broadway following a premiere at MTC’s The Studio at Stage II – Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series, where it debuted in the summer of 2013 to rave reviews and sold-out audiences, extending twice during its run.
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?
