The show opened on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on January 8, 2019, after entering previews on December 12, 2018.
[1] Pharus Jonathan Young – teen male of color, junior at Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys.
David Heard - teen male of color, senior at the school and a member of the boys choir.
During a call home to Pharus’ mom, he tells her that he will not be singing at Commencement, but he hopes that she will continue to be proud of him.
The teachers then explain how Pharus cannot sing during commencement because “boys with black eyes” are not allowed to represent the school.
The day before commencement, Pharus wakes AJ up with his practicing in hopes that the headmaster will change his mind.
AJ cuts Pharus’ hair and tells him the story of the last time he went to the barbershop, where he was called a homophobic slur.
Dominic Cooke directed and the cast featured: Dominic Smith (Pharus), David Burke (Mr Pendleton), Gary McDonald (Headmaster Marrow), Eric Kofi-Abrefa (Bobby), Kwayedza Kureya (Junior Davis), Khali Best (Anthony Justin), and Aron Julius (David Heard).
[3] The production starred Jeremy Pope as Pharus Jonathan Young, Nicholas L. Ashe as Junior Davis, Kyle Beltran as David Heard, Grantham Coleman as Anthony Justin 'AJ' James, Chuck Cooper as Headmaster Marrow, Austin Pendleton as Mr. Pendleton, and Wallace Smith as Bobby Marrow.
[3] Choir Boy premiered on the Hertz Stage at Alliance Theatre on September 20, 2013, and closed on October 13, 2013.
New cast members included Caleb Eberhardt as David Heard, Joshua Boone as Bobby Marrow, Scott Robertson as Mr. Pendleton, John Stewart as Anthony Justin 'AJ' James, and Charles E. Wallace as Headmaster Marrow.
[5] Serving as the production understudies were Victor Jackson for Pharus Jonathan Young and Junior Davis; Patrick McColery for Mr. Pendleton; Kevin O'Hara for Headmaster Marrow; and Alex B.
The cast included Jeremy Pope as Pharus Jonathan Young, Nicholas L. Ashe as Junior Davis, and Grantham Coleman as Anthony Justin 'AJ' James, all reprising their performances from New York City Center Stage I, and Caleb Eberhardt as David Heard, reprising his performance from the Alliance Theatre production.
[8] Choir Boy began previews on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on December 12, 2018, officially opening on January 8, 2019, and closing on March 10, directed by Trip Cullman and with music direction and arrangements by Jason Michael Webb.
[10][11] Jeremy Pope, Chuck Cooper, Caleb Eberhardt, Nicholas L. Ashe and Austin Pendleton reprised their roles.
[12] The production was praised by critics, especially appreciating Jason Michael Webb's book, Brown's choreography and sound design by Patton.