Choir Boy (Broadway)

See it if You want to expand your heart understanding of just some of the challenges that young gay black men face. Beautifully written/acted/sung.

Don't see it if You’re homophobic or racist. You should, but don’t bother, you won’t get it.

See it if Wrenching boarding school coming-of-age story. A flamboyantly gay student makes life hard for the others. Spiritual, moving acapella songs.

Don't see it if You aren’t up for confused, angry teenage characters dealing w/ school pressures & sexual discomfort. Frequent rear male nudity.

See it if McCraney's gay youth in homophobic world succeeds more in style, atmosphere & sharp writing than any new insights Pope's fierce lead shines

Don't see it if Dazzling musical interludes can take us out of dramatic action to its detriment Some characters cliched but well played Rises/falls on Pope

See it if you enjoy coming of age stories, problems gay guys encounter in a black private school, great a capella choir routines, resilient heroes

Don't see it if you're not a fan of gay stories set in high school milieu or into male choir singing, somewhat predictable plot line, bullying plot lines

See it if you want to see an incredibly powerful, moving show about the lessons we, on purpose and inadvertently, teach kids who are "different."

Don't see it if n/a. Everyone should see this. It's exceptional.

See it if you'd enjoy a good story of fitting in by young men with different backgrounds trying to make it in school and in the choir.

Don't see it if you have no interest in real life challenges and struggles or do not like brilliant pauses in the action that make you dwell on issues.

See it if sociologically precise depiction of dynamics in school; extraordinary a cappella singing & rhythmic dancing; strong affecting cast

Don't see it if no special insight into issues w gay behavior w/i black culture; cliche ridden; by end play just peters out

See it if you’re interested in shows that explore what it means to be the “other,” LGBTQ themes, school dramas, or great a capella singing.

Don't see it if you’re in the mood for something cheerful and uplifting.

See it if Coming of age story set in a prestigious prep school for young men of color. Being a teen is difficult enough being gay makes it even harder

Don't see it if you are homophobic, uncomfortable with nudity, don't appreciate good acting, beautiful singing, a great cast & an amusing & tense story.

See it if you want to see a well-written, timely play about being gay in an oppressive culture. Great ensemble work!! Wonderful singing.

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with gay-themed plays or male nudity.

See it if you're interested in plays about race, sexuality, and privilege. Unexpectedly refreshing. Great acting and singing.

Don't see it if you want to see a full scale musical, rather than a play with some singing.

See it if Saw Jonathan Burke in 2nd perf replacing Jeremy Pope. Great voice, charismatic, maybe a little more nelly than Jeremy. Audience loved it.

Don't see it if I liked it better in the small space at City Center. But the play really soars -- filling the Broadway house. A must see.

See it if Highly pleasurable show. Funny but not idiotic; weighty but not tortured & tearful. You like plays about characters swimming upstream.

Don't see it if want a teen fairy tale where they win nationals, pair off into complementary couples, correct the errors of their ways without consequence.

Also Succeeds where a lot of new plays stumble. If this was just another coming-of-age, I would have been bored. CB speaks to race, remembrance, & meritocracy (plus how it's perceived along a person's sexuality) in ways that surpass usual adolescent angst. McCraney articulately spells it all out, but the show doesn’t sacrifice entertainment for speech-making. The show is so energizing because it gets the combination of story & commentary just right. Loved every minute.

The singing makes you think everyone on Broadway should sound that good. But I second the reviewers who’ve said it’s more like a play with music than a musical. Shouldn't be a dealbreaker, but don’t expect the same level of abstraction that prompts characters to burst into song for no reason. (Being in a choir, it makes sense that they’re singing constantly.)... Read more Read less

See it if The music was sublime. The actors performed brilliantly. Their singing and dancing was mesmerizing.

Don't see it if The story was kind of meh. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before, in all kinds of settings. A disappointment.

See it if you enjoy themed pieces on segments of our society and gospel music accompanied by great choreography as well

Don't see it if a story about young African-American men at school doesn't interest you

See it if coming of age of a young black man in a Prep school - his coming of age,& the discrimination he faces; wonderful a cappella music

Don't see it if don't want stories about gay males, back nudity (although brief, well done & important to story)

Also Jeremy Pope was amazing as the discriminated young man. But all of the main choir boys were excellent.
My quibbles are with the disappointing ending which I found sort of a let down with cliches and inconsistencies.
All of the scenes with the youth alone were moving & believable. Scenes with the 2 adult characters - not so much. Contrived and slowed the story down.... Read more Read less

See it if you’d enjoy a narrative that challenges you to think of your own privilege, and how much more precarious your life would be without it.

Don't see it if you didn’t make it before the end of the run.

See it if a contemporary, black version of Dead Poet's Society sounds interesting (minus the dying).

Don't see it if you don't care for stories about young, gay, black men. The only white character's entire storyline felt out of place and strange.

See it if well-written play staged effectively with good performances. viewpoint one does not normally see.

Don't see it if some characters are more types than fleshed-out but still effective

See it if So much has been said...just go and relish the experience

Don't see it if Don't like message pieces or thinking about unexplored issues in new ways

See it if if you want to witness great acting and singing. Jeremy Pope is wonderful (real tears!) and the whole cast performs as a tight ensemble.

Don't see it if you're put off by gay characters and some vivid sexual scenes.

See it if Moonlight (film) but out in a black prep school. From idealist boys to real men navigating class, sexuality, and acceptance. Emotional songs

Don't see it if Gay, Black culture, coming of age stories aren't your thing. More a play with a capella singing than musical (no orchestra).

Also Ticket from MTC's 30 for 35 for $30. Seat was at the edge of mid mezzanine.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a great written play.

Don't see it if you want to see a musical

See it if you would appreciate a character-driven play with gospel songs that elucidate elements of the storyline and character development.

Don't see it if you are expecting a musical, this is not, or are not interested in coming of age stories including that of a young gay man.

Also The story has a familiar edge to it, but the performances are sincere and strong, and the development of several of the lead characters allows deeper and deeper caring. I saw a matinee with a large group of students. You could have heard a pin drop, we all were so involved.... Read more Read less

See it if A look into one of the aspects of the African-American LGBT communities.

Don't see it if If examining homophobia is an issue for a the ticket holder, do not attend.

Also Tarell Alvin McCraney has treated the theatrical community to a powerful and sensitive look into one of the experiences in the African-American LGBT lives. Choir Boy now playing Broadway exhibits truth, inspiring songs and joyous movement in 1 hour & 40 minutes with no intermission.

This play takes place at a prestigious African-American Boys school in the south. The plot circles around the boys’ choir program and promising adolescences. Key characters are a gay student leader, a homophobic privilege legacy student and a closeted student studying religion.

Choir Boy is well written and explores systemic homophobia in the Black community and how an extraordinary student navigates bigotry and character perception. The play writer provides us a window to observe how homophobia has a severe impact to the student, faculty and parent community.

Choir Boy deserves to be on Broadway and will likely be nominated for numerous Tony Award this year.... Read more Read less