After staging its US debut in 2015, Manhattan Theater Club brings Oscar-winning writer Tarell Alvin McCraney's ('Moonlight') music-filled drama, about a gifted member of a school's gospel choir, to Broadway. More…
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?
“Here is another case in which the performances exceed the caliber of the play...The cast is a stalwart one...But the play abounds in plot clichés, seems overlong...and abounds in predictable situations...Much seems contrived. However, the choral singing, mostly of religious songs, but enhanced on occasion by some well-choreographed modern riffs, brighten the show. And always there is the assembly of fine performances.” Full Review
"Mr. McCraney’s characterizations are as lazy as his plot is familiar...To the extent that 'Choir Boy' is worth seeing, it’s mainly because of Trip Cullman’s staging—every dramatic gesture hits its target with preternatural precision—and his marvelous ensemble cast...For all the delights of Mr. Cullman’s production, 'Choir Boy' is what it is and no more, a slick, unchallenging show that is going over big at the box office because it tells us what we want to hear." Full Review
“Utterly up-to-the-minute...But...it leaves a thread or two hanging. Part of the difficulty is structural: Fine choral singing, often-fine drama, but how neatly do they coexist?...The transitions from song to scene and back can feel arbitrary and unmotivated...McCraney is to be congratulated for giving a minority subgroup a voice it needs and has too often lacked. But has he written a tidy, concise, consistently absorbing and probing play? Not quite.” Full Review
“McCraney has written a spectacular — and spectacularly complex — character in Pharus...Brought to life by an extraordinary...Pope, Pharus feels like a real teenager who is struggling to reconcile all the different aspects of his identity...He'll make you cry, and then cheer. Yet the rest of the show doesn't live up to Pharus' promise. There are too many tropes...The plot doesn't really make sense. And the songs seem to be thrown in willy-nilly...But as a character study, 'Choir Boy' is simpl... Full Review
"You may find yourself wishing that director Trip Cullman worked more closely with playwright McCraney to cut some of the confusing loose ends and what might be referred to as the dramatic fat. And in contrast with Pope and Pendleton, the usually boisterous Chuck Cooper proves disappointing as the Headmaster--surprisingly confined, when he should have been more in charge--not to mention, more engaged and engaging." Full Review
"The problem here is the story—what there is of it—is riddled with clichés and has little substance...It’s a story that should be told, but it was told better in 'Moonlight'...What is worse is that there is no focus from director Trip Cullman to give it a more cohesive narrative and badly needed fine-tuning. The redeeming grace is Jeremy Pope as Pharus. He originated this role in 2013 off Broadway, and gives the play the anchor it so desperately needs." Full Review
See it if you enjoy good but very very very brief singing
Don't see it if you want an original story that makes you think.
Also It had the bad misfortune to come after "American Son."
See it if You are ok with fairly explicit (considering that these are high school kids) scenes. I wasn’t expecting rear male nudity.
Don't see it if You want a fast paced show. This is VERY slow
See it if you want to hear great singing amidst a familiar story line. Heartfelt acting and some interesting staging but unfocused and flabby.
Don't see it if you want an interesting or novel take on a gay acceptance story set in the recent past. Well tread material but well-staged and acted.
Also Pendleton was great but what did his character add exactly?
See it if you haven't had enough on Broadway about teenage angst, especially about sexuality. Or, if you want to see it with a different twist.
Don't see it if hearing the N word repeatedly is offensive or if you really care about this topic.
See it if you want to see young energetic talented singers. Written by Tarell McCraney
Don't see it if You want a fresh take on school as a microcosm of life. You want to see a culture different from the usual frat boy club.
Also This is a story we have seen many times before; a prestigious boys sch... Read more Read less
See it if you like great singing and slow moving plays that do not feature a likable lead character.
Don't see it if you enjoy original pieces of work. The play is one cliche after another. It's attempting to be edgy when it plays like one big stereotype.
See it if you like a show with actors whose roles are very cliched. I couldn't understand most of what main character said. Singing good but plot not.
Don't see it if you don't like gay themed plots or lots of partial nudity. This show could have been so much better.
See it if u like Lifetime movies & u'd enjoy one about boys coming-of-age in an elite black prep school (w/nudity & d*ck jokes to make it "edgy").
Don't see it if ur in search of original ideas, original story, original songs, original characters or a fresh take on a familiar tale of sexual awakening.
Also A huge, empty chalkboard stands at the center of the set with a large ... Read more Read less
See it if you love a cappella singing. I wish they would have sung the entire show!
Don't see it if you are weary of edgy themes or hard of hearing. The dialogue was hard to follow. The writing weak, the plot and characters shallowly cast.
See it if Beautiful a capella spiritual singing. Young Black actors who can harmonize and move well. An excellent point made regarding the ‘N’ word.
Don't see it if The stage and back wall are red. The color of passion, blood, anger. All of which are blandly explored in this story which does not qualify
Also as reaching the level of a play. There is a central gay character with... Read more Read less
See it if You want to see great singing and actors trying their best with very poor material.
Don't see it if You want to see something new. So many cliches, so little time. Bullied gay character, savior white frumpy teacher, other boys using...
Also ....the Bible as a mask, typical prep school antics, headmaster over i... Read more Read less
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Details
Tuesdays - Thursdays & Sunday Evenings
$109 Front Orchestra & Mezzanine AA - BB
$99 Rear Orchestra & Front Mezzanine A - B
Friday Evenings - Sunday Matinees
$119 Front Orchestra & Mezzanine AA - BB
$99 Rear Orchestra & Front Mezzanine A - B
Terms
Offer valid on select seating for all performances through 3/10/19. Additional blackout dates may apply. Regular price for $59 tickets is $79; regular price for $79 tickets is $99; regular price for $89-$99 tickets is $149. Prices subject to change. All prices include a $2 facility fee. Normal service charges apply to phone and internet orders. Limit of 6 tickets per order. Offer subject to availability and prior sale. All sales are final – no refunds or exchanges. Offer may be revoked or modified at any time without notice. Cast subject to change.
Terms
Discount good for all performances 12/12-2/17 except 1/8. Additional blackout dates may apply. Limit 6 tickets per order. Prices subject to change. All prices include a $2 facility fee. Normal service charges apply to phone and internet orders. Offer subject to availability and prior sale. All sales are final – no refunds or exchanges. Offer may be revoked or modified at any time without notice. Cast subject to change.
Details
Tuesday-Thursday eves, Wednesday matinees and Sunday eves
Front orchestra/Mezzanine rows AA-BB: $109 (reg. $159)
Rear orchestra/front mezz rows A-B: $99 (reg. $119)
Friday eve, Saturday matinee and eve and Sunday matinee
Front orchestra/Mezzanine rows AA-BB: $119 (reg. $169)
Rear orchestra/front mezz rows A-B: $99 (reg. $129)
Terms
Limit 6 tickets per order. Prices subject to change. All prices include a $2 facility fee. Normal service charges apply to phone and internet orders. Offer subject to availability and prior sale. All sales are final – no refunds or exchanges. Offer may be revoked or modified at any time without notice. Cast subject to change.
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