Wednesday, January 9, 2019

"Choir Boy" Announces One-Week Extension at Manhattan Theatre Club


January 9, 2019

Choir Boy Will Now Play Through Sunday, February 24
At MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

Written by Academy Award Winner Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight)
Directed by Trip Cullman

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) are thrilled to announce that 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, Murder Ballad), will extend for one additional week of performances, playing through Sunday, February 24 at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

Choir Boy opened last night to widespread critical acclaim:

·         “CRITIC’S PICK! Powerful. Choir Boy raises a joyful new voice. Jeremy Pope is sensational.” (Jesse Green, The New York Times)
·         Tarell Alvin McCraney’s writing brings to mind the great August Wilson. With Choir Boy, he establishes himself as a major new voice in the theatre. Each of the performances ring oh so true.” (Roma Torre, NY1)
·         “Soulful and sensual!” (David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter)
·         “Extraordinary! The play is gorgeous, kept aloft by a company of fearless, goosebump-inducing singers.” (Sara Holdren, New York Magazine)
·         “★ ★ ★ ★ – CRITIC’S PICK! Choir Boy sings loud and proud on Broadway.” (Adam Feldman, Time Out New York)

The cast features Nicholas L. Ashe (Junior Blake), Daniel Bellomy (Ensemble), Jonathan Burke (Ensemble), Gerald Caesar (Ensemble), John Clay III (Anthony Justin “AJ” James), Chuck Cooper (Headmaster Marrow), Caleb Eberhardt (David Heard), Marcus Gladney (Ensemble), J. Quinton Johnson (Bobby Marrow), Austin Pendleton (Mr. Pendleton) and Jeremy Pope (Pharus Jonathan Young).

Choir Boy’s creative team includes Jason Michael Webb (music direction, arrangements & original music), David Zinn (scenic & costume design), Peter Kaczorowski (lighting design), Fitz Patton (original music & sound design), Cookie Jordan (hair & make-up design), Thomas Schall (fight director) and Camille A. Brown (choreography).

Choir Boy marks 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? Playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney is an Oscar®-winning screenwriter of Moonlight and a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship Grant. Directing is Drama Desk Award nominee Trip Cullman (Lobby Hero, Significant Other, Murder Ballad).

Support for Choir Boy is provided by The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust. Choir Boy was commissioned by Manhattan Theatre Club with support from Time Warner Inc.

Manhattan Theatre Club, under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, has become one of the country’s most prominent and prestigious theatre companies. Over the past four and a half decades, MTC productions have earned numerous awards including 7 Pulitzer Prizes and 23 Tony Awards. MTC has a Broadway home at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) and two Off-Broadway theatres at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street). Renowned MTC productions include the 2018 Pulitzer Prize winner Cost of Living by Martyna Majok; Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes; August Wilson’s Jitney and The Piano Lesson; Heisenberg by Simon Stephens; The Father by Florian Zeller with translation by Christopher Hampton; Fool For Love by Sam Shepard; Airline Highway by Lisa D’Amour; Casa Valentina by Harvey Fierstein; Outside Mullingar and Doubt by John Patrick Shanley; The Commons of Pensacola by Amanda Peet; Murder Ballad by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash; The Assembled Parties by Richard Greenberg; Wit by Margaret Edson; Venus in Fur by David Ives; Good People and Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire; The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez; Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies; Ruined by Lynn Nottage; Proof by David Auburn; The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife by Charles Busch; Love! Valour! Compassion! by Terrence McNally; Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley; and Ain’t Misbehavin, the Fats Waller musical. For more information on MTC, please visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.

TICKETING INFORMATION
Tickets for Choir Boy are available at Telecharge.com, by calling 212-239-6200, or by visiting The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre Box Office at 261 West 47th Street. Joining MTC’s season of plays is easy! Just visit manhattantheatreclub.com/join, or call the MTC Clubline at 212-399-3050.

For more information and to sign up for MTC’s “30 under 35” program for theatregoers age 35 and under visit https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/season-tickets/30-under-35/.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
·         THROUGH SUNDAY, JANUARY 13 (week of opening): Wednesday and Sunday at 7pm; Thursday-Saturday at 8pm; Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.
·         TUESDAY, JANUARY 15 – SUNDAY, JANUARY 20: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm; Thursday-Saturday at 8pm; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.
·         TUESDAY, JANUARY 22 – SUNDAY, JANUARY 27: Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday at 7pm; Thursday-Saturday at 8pm; Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.
·         TUESDAY, JANUARY 22 – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm; Thursday-Saturday at 8pm; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm
·         TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10: Tuesday at 7pm; Wednesday-Saturday at 8pm; Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday at 2pm
·         TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm; Thursday-Saturday at 8pm; Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.


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