First Time in the Midwest & It’s Here: Choir Boy, a Play with Music, Debuts
Written by Tabitha Ervin
The Broadway Tony nominated play “Choir Boy” written by Playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Moonlight, is having its Midwest premiere…right here in Fort Wayne, Indiana, starting October 25, 2019 and serving as a fundraiser for the local nonprofit Genesis Outreach and their support efforts combating homelessness.
The story of “Choir Boy” follows five young men in high school in the modern day as they live their lives as young African-Americans in America. The themes of family, home life, classism, and sexism are threaded throughout their journey as various dimensions are addressed through masterful acting and savvy lines written by McCraney. This play with music…not a musical as this writer learned…will connect to a cross-generational audience of all races and ages with traditional music and church hymns threaded throughout. A play with music because, as described by internet sources, “if what the character does is a part of who they are to tell the story…the boys are singers thus they sing throughout the play.”
In this play, a first of its kind, young African-American boys will tell their story through their own voices which will take us back to our own high school days. Talented local actors include Rodney Walker Jr. who plays the lead character along with Keristen “Big Kess” Baker, Deven Bowers, Ennis Brown, A’bby Brownlee, Kibwe Cooper, Darius Colen and featuring Gregory Stieber. Along with Albert Brownlee (an actor and singer himself) as artistic and musical director, the play will feature amazing choreography by Adrian Curry of the Art Leadership Center.
You may be wondering how does a play that was just on Broadway in January get to Fort Wayne? (And if you aren’t, I wondered!) Brownlee and one of the actors were actually in New York in January of this year seeing another play and lucked up on tickets to “Choir Boy,” which they hadn’t even heard of at the time, 30 minutes before the start of the show. Within minutes of the opening scene, the two looked at each other and they knew it would be a life-changing experience and a future award-winning play. Both were totally mesmerized and captivated by what Brownlee called “the incredible show.”
As the months went by and the Genesis Outreach Annual Gala approached, the idea to do this play in Fort Wayne developed; Director Brownlee applied for the licensing and was approved. As a fundraiser for Genesis Outreach, all proceeds will benefit homeless mothers, women, children and men that are served by the organization.
This show is a MUST see and Brownlee wants as many people in our community to see it as possible!! The show will start October 25-November 3 at the Parkview Physicians Group ArtsLab, 300 E. Main Street. In addition to evening shows, there are afternoon matinees on Sundays only, and a special Halloween show for persons looking for an alternative. For tickets, hit up: ArtsTix.org or call 260.422.4226.