Broadway Smash Choir Boy Ready to Bring Joy Back to Stage During Philadelphia Premiere

Philadelphia Theatre Company kicks off 2022 with the Philadelphia Premiere of a TONY® Award-winning play from an Academy Award winning writer. Audiences return to PTC for soaring gospel music and a story about singing in your own key as Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy takes the stage. Directed by PTC Resident Artist Jeffrey L. Page, this electric play about a young man creating his own path at a storied prep school features a new Gospel and R&B score created by celebrated musician Crystal Monee Hall, who serves as composer and musical director. The show runs February 18 – March 13. Opening night for press is Friday, February 25 at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now starting at $35. PTC continues its 10Tix program, supported by PNC Arts Alive, providing a select number of seats at $10 for every performance. Tickets are available at www.philatheatreco.org or by phone at 215-985-0420. All shows are performed at PTC’s home at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146.

“I feel tremendously excited to be doing work in Philadelphia,” said Page. “Philadelphia is a city that has seen me cross over from being a child into adulthood at University of the Arts. My roots run pretty deep in Philadelphia. I left Philadelphia and continued with my work. Here I am, back to conduct a group of artists in this stunning work. It feels really exciting to be back on Broad Street. I am excited for all of Philadelphia and its many faces to come out to see this work.”

For the health and safety of patrons, cast, crew and staff, PTC will require that audience members present proof of vaccination with booster (if eligible) and wear a mask while in the venue, aligning with the safety protocols outlined by Theatre Philadelphia. PTC has paused the sale of concessions for this show to allow patrons to keep their masks on. PTC is also offering reduced-capacity seating in the entire theatre, with mezzanine seating at 20% capacity. The theatre will offer two performances at 25% capacity on February 27, at 3 pm. and March 4, at 8 pm.

For half a century, the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys has been dedicated to the education of strong, ethical black men. Honor. Legacy. Pride. Taking his place out front as the choir leader at the elite all-boys, all-Black prep school, Pharus Young is determined to make his mark by challenging expectations in a world steeped in deep-rooted traditions. But can he make his way through the hallowed halls of this institution if he sings in his own key? From the pen of Tarell Alvin McCraney, the Academy Award-winning writer of MOONLIGHT, Choir Boy electrified Broadway with its soaring gospel, spiritual, and R&B performances. Choir Boy was nominated for five 2019 TONY Awards and won two. It won for Sound Design and a Special TONY Award for the music.

“I have been aware of this play for a long time,” said Page. “Tarell is a friend. I was in LA and I have a vivid memory of sitting in the park reading the script and just crying. The way Tarell was able to find so much color and texture inside of the breath of the words in this piece, the way he was able to paint what it feels like to be not be fully, empathetically witnessed and fully regarded – to have to exist in a small space – while everyone else has room to move and to grow wings and soar. It’s just a powerful work.”

The Philadelphia premiere of this exciting new work is directed by PTC Resident Artist Page, marking his directorial debut with the company and a return to Broad Street. Page, who is a University of the Arts graduate, credits the college with helping him develop as an artist. Page directs a cast comprised of young rising stars, a Broadway veteran, and a Philadelphia favorite. DePaul University graduate and 2021 Princess Grace Award Winner Justen Ross makes his PTC and Philadelphia debut as Pharus. Recent University of the Arts grad Jeremy Cousar plays Bobby. Jamaal Fields-Green returns to the stage after playing John Laurents/Philip Hamilton in the Chicago cast of Hamilton to play AJ. Tristan André, a UNC MFA and regular at PlayMakers Repertory Company, plays Junior. Dana Orange, who recently appeared as Sebastian in The Little Mermaid at Walnut Street Theatre, plays David. Philadelphia favorite Akeem Davis, who is currently in A Streetcar Named Desire at Arden Theatre Company and last appeared at PTC in Rizzo, plays the Headmaster. Broadway veteran of Chicago and Wicked and many more, actor PJ Benjamin, plays Mr. Pendelton.

Crystal Monee Hall, a singer/songwriter, composer, and vocal arranger is the Music Director and Composer of Choir Boy. She has extensive credits on Broadway and in popular music. Philadelphian Rob Tucker is the Assistant Music Director. Christopher Ash returns to PTC after designing The Garbologists and Sweat as Scenic and Lighting Designer, creating a minimalist set that encompasses the world of the prep school. Millie Hiibel, a Costume Designer for Opera Philadelphia, returns to PTC where she designed At Home At The Zoo. Busy Philadelphia Sound Designer Daniel Ison returns to PTC after designing this season’s The Garbologists. Alison Hassman and Jamel Baker are the Stage Managers. Casting services were provided by Bass/Valle Casting.

“The textures and colors of this play are so magnetic,” said Page. “I think this play is a powerful work of art that has the ability to reach into any person’s deepest core and help them to discover things in themselves they have forgotten about.”

Choir Boy runs February 18 – March 13. Tickets are on sale now starting at $35. PTC continues its 10Tix program, supported by PNC Arts Alive, providing a select number of seats at $10 for every performance. Tickets are available at www.philatheatreco.org or by phone at 215-985-0420. All shows are performed at PTC’s home at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146.

Following Choir Boy, the season concludes with the World Premiere of Madeline Sayet’s solo show Where We Belong from April 15 to May 8, 2022. Where We Belong launches a national tour following the production at PTC.

Tickets, subscriptions and more information can be found online at www.philatheatreco.org or by phone at 215-985-0420. Connect on social with Philadelphia Theatre Company at @philatheatreco on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

Tarell Alvin McCraney is an acclaimed writer. His script In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue is the basis for the Oscar-winning film MOONLIGHT directed by Barry Jenkins, for which McCraney and Jenkins won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. McCraney is currently working on the second season of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network’s critically-acclaimed, Michael B. Jordan and Oprah Winfrey executive produced drama series, David Makes Man, for which the first season received a Peabody Award, Critic’s Choice Award, and Gotham Award while also maintaining 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. He also wrote the film High Flying Bird which premiered on Netflix directed by Steven Soderbergh. McCraney’s plays include Ms. Blakk For President (co-written with Tina Landau), The Brother/Sister Plays trilogy, Head of Passes, Wig Out!, and Choir Boy which was nominated for four Tony Awards, winning two. McCraney is the recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Grant, the Whiting Award, Steinberg Playwright Award, the Evening Standard Award, the New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award, the Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, the Windham Campbell Award, and a USA Artist Award. He is currently Chair of Playwriting at Yale School of Drama and a member of Teo Castellanos/D-Projects.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Jeffrey Page is an Emmy Award-nominated director and choreographer, and spearheaded the 2015 and 2018 Tokyo productions of the musical Memphis, which received four Yomiuri Award nominations, including Best Musical. The first African American to be named the Marcus Institute Fellow for Opera Directing at The Juilliard School, Mr. Page won an MTV Video Music Award for his work with Beyoncé, on whose creative team he worked for more than 12 years. His work was featured on Beyoncé’s “The Formation World Tour,” in her historic Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival performance, and in two of her HBO specials. Mr. Page was the associate creative director for Mariah Carey’s “Sweet, Sweet Fantasy European Tour,” and has been a featured choreographer on Fox Television’s “So You Think You Can Dance.” He currently is the creative director for singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan, most recently working with her on the 2020 BET Soul Train Music Awards. Mr. Page was in the original, award-winning Broadway cast of Fela! He choreographed the Broadway musical Violet starring Sutton Foster (Roundabout Theatre Company). Page was acknowledged by the Berkshire Theatre Awards for his work at Barrington Stage Company’s Company and Broadway Bounty Hunter. In 2016, he established Movin’ Legacy as an Indianapolis-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the ethnology and documentation of contemporary and traditional dance from Africa and the African diaspora. Jeffrey received an MFA degree in Dramatic Direction Columbia University in New York City, and serves as a lecturer at Harvard University and guest faculty in the Opera Department at The Juilliard School. In 2019 he was awarded the Chuck Davis Emerging Choreographer Fellowship from the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Currently, as co-director and choreographer, he is working with Diane Paulus and the American Repertory Theatre at Harvard University to mount the Broadway revival of 1776.

ABOUT THE CAST

PJ BENJAMIN (Mr. Pendleton) Celebrating his 51st year as a union actor. A veteran of over 100 productions with long runs on Broadway and on tour as The Wizard in Wicked, Mr. Cellophane in Chicago, Leading Player in Pippin and Arnold in Torch Song Trilogy. Other Broadway: Sophisticated Ladies; Charlie and Algernon; The Pajama Game and Sarava. Favorite plays: All My Sons; Long Day's Journey Into Night and The Last Romance. TV: Fosse/Verdon; FBI Most Wanted; Law and Order SVU; Madame Secretary; The Good Wife; and Person Of Interest. Voice of the Dodo Birds in Ice Age. P J and wife, actress Louisa Flaningam, own the historic Captain Timothy Hill House Museum on Chincoteague Island, Virginia.

JEREMY COUSAR (Bobby) was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina where he was exposed to art at an early age (thanks mom & dad). Jeremy is a proud graduate of The University of the Arts where he received his BFA in Musical Theater and his Minor in Music Business. Some of his recent work includes a casino residency (Motorcity Live). In addition to serving onstage, he also has a deep passion for philanthropy and uses his platform to help others find their purpose. You can find Jeremy on all social media platforms @Jeremycousar.

AKEEM DAVIS (Headmaster) Akeem Davis, from Miami, Fl, is a graduate of The Florida State University. Regional credits include Arden Theatre Company: A Streetcar Named Desire, A Doll’s House, Gem of the Ocean; Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company: The Arsonists; Folger Theatre: District Merchants, King John; Theatre Horizon: Lobby Hero, In The Blood; InterAct Theatre: The Dangerous House of Pretty M’bane, Marcus/Emma; Theatre Exile: Buzzer; Simpatico Theatre Project: The Brothers Size. A Helen Hayes and Barrymore Award nominated actor, as well as recipient of the Haas Award for Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist, Akeem is a proud man of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Love to Tay. For Ash.

JAMAAL FIELDS-GREEN (AJ) is an actor/singer/writer/director from New City, New York. Graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from the Hartt School in 2018. He is very excited to be making his return to the stage since closing the Chicago company of Hamilton as John Laurents/Philip Hamilton in 2020. Also known as J. Hasan (Hasan is his middle name), He creates and performs his own music which is available on all streaming platforms. Aside from that, he owns his own production company/label DAYDRMR. He is forever thankful to his family, friends and team. TV Credits: Freeform’s “That Thing About Harry” and “Chicago PD.”

TRISTAN ANDRÉ (Junior) Brother. Sun. Black memory cultural worker. Lover of his community. You are that community. Tristan, an alum of the MFA Professional Actor Training Program at UNC-Chapel Hill, is a Southern multi-hyphenate artist whose credits include PlayMakers Repertory Company's Life of Galileo, Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, Leaving Eden, Twelfth Night and The Crucible, and DC's Shakespeare Theatre Company's production of James Baldwin's The Amen Corner. Tristan is an art and social justice practitioner who works as a Teaching Artist with DreamYard Organization throughout the South Bronx. He has also collaborated with other social justice organizations throughout the Southeast region such as Marian C. Jackson Center in Chapel Hill, NC, and Durham's Black August in the Park | Tristan is represented by About Artists Agency and is a member of the Actors' Equity Association. Peace and love to all.

DANA ORANGE (David) is very excited to be making his PTC debut in this great show. Previous credits include Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Shrek the Musical, Sister Act (Walnut Street Theatre), To Kill a Mockingbird (Millbrook Playhouse), Actually (Philly Fringe), In The Heights (Park Playhouse), Ragtime (Eagle Theatre), Evita (Resident Theatre Company)… Much thanks to PTC, Jeffrey, this incredible cast and crew, as well as my amazing support system, who show me an abundance of love each and every day!

JUSTEN ROSS (Pharus) is a black queer multi-hyphenate artist from Atlanta, Georgia. Actor, writer, and musician are few of many roles this ambitious soul takes on. He is a 2021 graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University’s BFA program and a 2021 Princess Grace Award recipient. Selected by Warner Bros. Studio to be a part of The Actors in Training Casting Initiative, Ross is making waves at a rapid pace. The young talent creates online content for a 100K+ following in his spare time. In the long run, he sees himself teaching young people the transformative power of performing arts from an afro-diasporic lens.

ABOUT PHILADELPHIA THEATRE COMPANY

Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) is a leading regional theater company that produces, develops, and presents entertaining and imaginative contemporary theater focused on the American experience.

Founded in 1974, Philadelphia Theatre Company has presented 201 World and Philadelphia premieres. More than 50 percent of PTC’s world premieres have moved on to New York and other major cities, helping to earn Philadelphia a national reputation as a hub for new play development. In 2007, PTC was instrumental in expanding Philadelphia’s thriving cultural corridor by opening the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on the Avenue of the Arts.