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 gay black man creating his own path at a storied prep school features a new Gospel and R&B score created by celebrated out musician Crystal Monee Hall, who serves as composer and musical director.  Three out actors are part of the cast of the show including Justen Ross, who plays Pharus, the character at the center of the story. The show runs now– 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.

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, a young gay black man in his Senior year,  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. Out cast members include: Justen Ross as Pharus, Tristan André as Junior, and Dana Orange as David. All three are making their PTC debuts. Other cast members include: Jeremy Cousar as Bobby,  Jamaal Fields-Green as AJ, Akeem Davis, as the Headmaster and PJ Benjamin, as Mr. Pendelton.

Crystal Monee Hall, an out 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.