Displaying items by tag: Choir Boy
Visually and Audibly Beautiful Choir Boy
Not every story about gay youth is a “coming out” story. Some youth have nothing to come out of. Their lives are not spent hiding who they are. For the most part, young people today are confident and proud of who they are. They are who they are, and the world will have to deal with it. “Choir Boy,” receiving a visually and audibly beautiful staging at the Steppenwolf Theatre is the story of one such boy.
Pharus Young, is a junior at the Charles Drew Prep School for boys. Pharus, (exuberantly played by Tyler Hardwick) is clearly different from the other boys. He is comfortably gay, proud and most of all, talented ……and he knows it. During Senior graduation where Pharus is singing the school song, “Trust and Obey”, he is heckled by Bobby (thuggishly handsome, Gilbert Domally), who happens to be the headmaster’s nephew. Bobby calls Pharus among other things, “sissy” and the dreaded “f” word.
The headmaster (a comical turn by La Shawn Banks) tries to help Pharus by telling him to “tighten up”, code for act straight. Pharus, to prove he is indeed a “Drew” man refuses to tell on his tormentor, although Bobby thinks he has, which leads to more confrontation and taking of sides. Pharus instead confides in his athletic jock roommate, AJ (the excellent Sheldon D. Brown). AJ is the big brother we all wish we had. He understands and doesn’t judge Pharus. Why? He’s comfortable in his own skin, which makes it easier to accept other people. Not so much for the other boys, David, (the baby-faced Richard David) doesn’t want to create any problems that would interfere with his scholarship and Junior, (the comical Samuel B. Jackson) who hides behind his buddy Bobby's machismo. Each of these boys has a struggle that must be dealt with if they are to succeed.
The beautiful Greek motif set consists of the front of a Greek temple with six doric columns holding up a triangular pediment. It is interesting to note ancient Greece had no concept of sexual preference. It was assumed a person could have both hetro-and homosexual responses at different times. Both romantic love and sexual passion between men were often considered normal, and under some circumstances healthy or admirable. Above the structure are large photos of Fredrick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Barack Obama, Malcolm X, and W.E.B. Dubois looking down on the proceedings. Beds rolled out as if my magic suggesting a dorm room making scene changes quick and effortless. Kent Gash has directed the ensemble to perfection, making clear the issues these men deal with including Mr. Pendleton (William Dick) who bring with him some special deep-seated issues.
Music in this play allows the students to express themselves in ways words would fail. Songs such as “Sometimes I feel like a Motherless Child” convey the loneliness of boarding school.
If you listen to the words closely, “Love Ballad” sung by David reveals a bit of his nature. Bobby and Junior act up when singing “Boys II Men” proving they are more boys than men. Gospel music sung a cappella by the group of boys, sounds like angels singing on high. Special notice should go to Jermaine Hill for musical direction and Byron Easley for choreography. "Rockin' in Jerusalem" by the ensemble is worth the price of admission. The cast was note perfect and well as step perfect.
Tarell Alvin McCraney has a special skill when it comes to writing about teenage boys just before manhood. McCraney is known for his Oscar winning movie “MoonLight”, but “Choir Boy” is closer to his lesser known television series “David Makes Man” Season 1. Both involve teenage men dealing with issues beyond their years.
Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago, (312) 335-1650, steppenwolf.org
Showtimes: 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, through July 24. Also 8 p.m. June 28, July 5, 12 and 19. No 8 p.m. show July 24
Running time: About 100 minutes, no intermission
Tickets: $20-$98
Parking: $15 in the Steppenwolf parking lot; limited street parking
Rating: For adults; contains nudity and mature themes
COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination and masking required
Identity Performing Arts' Fifth Anniversary Gala: Movement That Keeps Becoming
19 October 2026 in Dance in ReviewFive years is an important milestone for any arts organization, but for a contemporary dance company it also marks an…
Overshadowed Theatrical Productions Brings Beloved Holiday Classic It’s a Wonderful Life to the Stage
18 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThis holiday season, Overshadowed Theatrical Productions is thrilled to present the timeless holiday classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, live on…
Dance Theatre of Harlem fills Auditorium Theatre with fire and funk
18 October 2026 in Dance in ReviewProjecting a vibe that felt more homecoming party than ballet presentation, Dance Theatre of Harlem returned to Chicago on October…
“A Strange Loop” Lets the Intrusive Thoughts Win at Raven Theatre in partnership with About Face Theatre
17 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewA musical, but it’s just the voices in your head. Sounds just crazy enough to win the 2020 Pulitzer for…
Announcing Goodman's 22nd New Stages 2026 Festival Line-Up
15 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFrom a "Kung Fu rom-com" to a witchy new musical, The Goodman's popular New Stages Festival in its 22nd year continues…
TIMELINE THEATRE’S 100TH PRODUCTION, THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF LAURA WADE’S HOME, I’M DARLING, DIRECTED BY MECHELLE MOE, SATIRIZES THE SEDUCTIVE FANTASY OF A “SIMPLER PAST,” NOVEMBER 11 - DECEMBER 13
14 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreTimeLine Theatre’s 30th Anniversary Season at its new home in Uptown rolls merrily along in November with the company’s 100th…
Court Theatre announces America@250 - Now is the Time: Artists Go to Work
14 October 2026 in Theatre BuzzUnder the leadership of Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director Avery Willis Hoffman and Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre, Court Theatre proudly…
Trap Door Theatre Presents the World Premiere of OH, BUDDY, by Hal Cosentino. Opening November 12th, 2026
14 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreTrap Door Theatre is thrilled to continue its 33rd season with a Chicago Premiere of Oh, Buddy, written by Hal…
Announcing the Cast of the 49th A CHRISTMAS CAROL
14 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreTis the season, in spite of today's unseasonable temps, as A Christmas Carol begins rehearsals for The Goodman's 49th annual…
NOVA ENTERTAINMENT CURRENT AND UPCOMING 2026 CIRCA PINTIG UPDATES
14 October 2026 in Now PlayingNova Entertainment is pleased to announce the upcoming performance schedule and updates for CIRCA Pintig, with a visual rebrand and…
Steppenwolf Theatre Announces "ha ha ha ha ha ha ha" January 13 – February 7, 2027
14 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe blurb is: hahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahaha hihihi hahahahahahaha hoho hahahhahaha hehe hahahahahahahahahaha. Julia Masli's award-winning solo phenomenon ha ha ha ha…
'Sanctuary Stories' Ventures Into Emotional Drama Behind the News on Immigration
13 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewSanctuary Stories plumbs the line between theater and journalism, and the powerful human dramas both can depict. Funded by a Northwestern…
Inside Six Strange Worlds: Exquisite Corpse VI: LULLABIES
13 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewFor its sixth Halloween season, Rough House Theater Co. has transformed Steppenwolf’s Merle Reskin Garage into a spectacular puppet haunted…
PrideArts announces cast and production teams for Nick Payne's CONSTELLATIONS, performed by alternating same-sex casts, November 13- December 13
12 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThursdays – Saturdays at 7:00 pm, Sundays at 3 pm Additional Saturday matinees at 3:00 pm on November 28 and December…
Robert Falls Directs a Sinfully Satisfying Don Giovanni at Lyric Opera of Chicago
11 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewLet he without sin cast the first stone, Lyric’s “Don Giovanni” seemingly says when they bring up the house lights…
Teatro Vista Productions in collaboration with Audible presents Cafecito & Loops: A Mexodus Listening Tour Headed South Sundays, through November 1st
11 October 2026 in Now PlayingTeatro Vista Productions (TVP), the Midwest's only Latine-led Equity theatre company, in collaboration with Audible, presents Cafecito & Loops: A…
BrightSide’s Addams Family Musical Revives the Wonderfully Weird World of the Addams Clan
10 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThey're creepy and they're kooky, Mysterious and spooky, They're altogether ooky, The Addams Family. Yes, ooky. BrightSide Theatre’s production of…
Chicago City Opera Delivers a Rare Operatic Haunting with Der Vampyr
08 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewWith Halloween creeping closer, there’s something fitting about revisiting one of opera’s earliest flirtations with macabre horror - especially in…
Avalanche Theatre stages the world premiere of They Broke Up by Skyler Tarnas November 6–22, 2026
08 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreAvalanche Theatre announces the world premiere production of They Broke Up by Chicago playwright Skyler Tarnas, November 6–22, 2026. Opening…
Oil Lamp Theater Announces the cast and creative team for the return of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY, Nov. 20 - Dec. 27
08 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreOil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its next production and the final production…
Adults-only holiday fun: Who's Holiday! brings R-rated Cindy-Lou Who back to Theater Wit for her sixth year, Nov. 27-Dec. 27
08 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChristmas Day is in our grasp. Why the vodka? Glad you asked! Who's Holiday! brings R-rated Cindy-Lou Who back to…
Two-Time Tony Award-Winning Actress Victoria Clark To Receive the Sarah Siddons Society Award at Annual Benefit on Monday, November 9, 2026
08 October 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe Sarah Siddons Society is pleased to present its 2026 Award to actress and director Victoria Clark, who recently starred…
Goodman's Dead Girl’s Quinceañera: When Fifteen Meets the Adult World
07 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewAt fifteen, the world can feel like a television show you haven't quite figured out how to turn off. For…
Steppenwolf Theatre's ADIRONDACK CHAIR CIRCLE In Rehearsal – Playing October 22 – December 6, 2026 – World Premiere!
07 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to launch its 51st Season with the world premiere of…
Hell in a Handbag Productions Announces 25th Anniversary Season!
07 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreHell in a Handbag Productions is thrilled to announce its 25th Anniversary Season, featuring three "camptacular" shows guaranteed to delight lovers of…
Chicago’s Theater Wit introduces new Watchword closed captioning system, dramatically improving access in all three of its theaters
07 October 2026 in Theatre BuzzChicago’s Theater Wit is now offering new, state-of-the-art closed captioning service, marking a dramatic improvement in making live theater more…
Paramount Theatre’s reimagined A Christmas Carol promises to be a dazzling new, all-ages spectacle for Chicago’s holiday theater season, November 11-January 3
07 October 2026 in Upcoming Theatre“God bless us, everyone,” because there’s a fresh, new, reimagined version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale A Christmas Carol debuting…
"John C. Reilly is Mister Romantic" Returns to Steppenwolf Theatre - December 10 – 13, 2026
06 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFollowing last year's critically acclaimed, sell-out engagement, Steppenwolf Theatre Company is pleased to announce the return of John C. Reilly…
Saint Sebastian Players Open 45th Season With A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie Classic Miss Marple Mystery Runs Oct. 23–Nov. 15
06 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Saint Sebastian Players open their 45th season of travels to different places with A Murder is Announced, a classic Miss Marple mystery…
Announcing "The Goodman, For Good" Campaign
06 October 2026 in Theatre BuzzToday, Goodman Theatre raises the curtain on its future as leadership and artists share a vision for its next century…
Latest Articles
-
Identity Performing Arts' Fifth Anniversary Gala: Movement That Keeps Becoming
Written by Wesley DavidFive years is an important milestone for any arts organization, but for a contemporary dance company it also marks an artistic coming of age. Identity Performing Arts celebrated its fifth anniversary at the Edlis Neeson Theater at the Museum of… -
Overshadowed Theatrical Productions Brings Beloved Holiday Classic It’s a Wonderful Life to the Stage
Written by Buzz Center StageThis holiday season, Overshadowed Theatrical Productions is thrilled to present the timeless holiday classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, live on stage. As Frank Capra’s legendary film celebrates its 80th anniversary, this stage adaptation offers the perfect way for families and… -
Dance Theatre of Harlem fills Auditorium Theatre with fire and funk
Written by Susan LiebermanProjecting a vibe that felt more homecoming party than ballet presentation, Dance Theatre of Harlem returned to Chicago on October 17th after a 10-year absence. The Auditorium Theatre audience took a while to assemble itself largely because people were having… -
“A Strange Loop” Lets the Intrusive Thoughts Win at Raven Theatre in partnership with About Face Theatre
Written by John AccroccoA musical, but it’s just the voices in your head. Sounds just crazy enough to win the 2020 Pulitzer for Drama. “A Strange Loop” by Michael R. Jackson finally makes its Chicago premiere at Raven Theatre in a co-production with…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.