Starting Sept. 9, Choir Boy, a beautiful coming-of-age story filled with acapella gospel music, comes to Seattle. Choir Boy is an ACT (A Contemporary Theatre) and The 5th Avenue Theatre’s 10th co-production together.
Written by the celebrated American playwright and Oscar-winning screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney, Choir Boy tells the story of a talented young student who has been waiting for years to take his rightful place as the leader of his school’s legendary gospel choir. This riveting show is a powerful examination of personal identity against institutional traditions: being Black and queer in a prestigious all-male prep school. Choir Boy electrified Broadway with its soaring gospel, spiritual and R&B performances.
“Choir Boy provides all the joy and open-hearted emotion we love about musicals, but it is very much a play,” says ACT’s Artistic Director John Langs, in a press release. “We wanted to open our season with a story of joy, courage and hope, with a director who could take this partnership to another level. We are so happy to welcome Jamil Jude, who has a long history with this play, to take the helm.”
Director Jamil Jude adds, “I’m excited to revisit this show, especially to present it to Seattle audiences. I’ve visited the area a few times and I’ve always been impressed with the audiences and the way they lean into stories. Choir Boy is full of ‘lean-in moments’ and I’m certain audiences will enjoy what this cast and the story will deliver.”
Choir Boy will run at ACT in Seattle from Sept. 9 through Oct. 23. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday, with select Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. The performance runs approximately 90 minutes, with no intermission.
Tickets are on sale now and are available for purchase at ACTtheatre.org. Ticket prices start at $39.
Photo credit: Brandon G. Stalling; Photo by Adams VisCom