“Cullman's production balances playfulness with an increasing sense of tension.”
PLAYCLOSED
Choir Boy
Opened Jan 8, 2019 · Closed Mar 10, 2019 · Ran for 2 months
25 Rave
21 Positive
5 Mixed
2 Negative
Critics' Take
Critics praise Jeremy Pope's exceptional performance and the gorgeous spiritual music in this coming-of-age drama about a gay Black teen at a prep school, though some find the plot predictable and overly familiar.
This show has closed. Tickets are no longer available.
Critic Scorecard
53 reviews25 Rave
21 Positive
5 Mixed
2 Negative
Sort:
“Which is to say that the author not only deserves a Broadway opportunity; he belongs on Broadway, as a visit to Choir Boy makes abundantly clear.”
“Choir Boygrabs your heart and soul with the exquisite performance by Jeremy Pope.”
“Pope wins our devotion by his seemingly ingrained inability to deliver a false note.”
“McCraney never seems to be preaching only to the choir – and by blending wisdom, compassion, humor and music with a truly expert touch, “Choir Boy” is rarely short of heavenly.”
Audience Scorecard
1.3K audience reviews
A-
Liking It
Awards Scorecard
2018-19 season51
Honored
Won Best Sound Design (Play)
Drama Desk:3 nomsOuter Critics:2 nomsDrama League:1 nom
Box Office Scorecard
source · Broadway League, publicAll Time
Frequently Asked Questions
What do critics say about Choir Boy?
Critics praise Jeremy Pope's exceptional performance and the gorgeous spiritual music in this coming-of-age drama about a gay Black teen at a prep school, though some find the plot predictable and overly familiar. (CriticScore 80/100 from 53 reviews.)
Is Choir Boy worth seeing?
Yes. Choir Boy earns strong reviews from critics (80/100 from 53 reviews). Most theatergoers will have a great time.
What is the CriticScore for Choir Boy?
Choir Boy has a CriticScore of 80/100 based on 53 professional reviews. This is a "Recommended" show.
Is Choir Boy still running on Broadway?
No, Choir Boy has closed. It played at Samuel J. Friedman Theatre and closed on March 10, 2019.
Theater Scorecard
Great VenueThe Samuel J. Friedman Theatre offers good sightlines with minimal obstructions and a well-raked mezzanine, ensuring a clear view from most seats. The sound quality is consistently praised, and the seating is comfortable with decent legroom. The theater's ambiance is enhanced by its elegant design following renovation, though facilities like restrooms are average, leading to some congestion during intermissions.
Original Broadway Cast
- Nicholas L. AsheJunior DavisBroadway debut
- Daniel BellomyEnsembleBroadway debut
- Jonathan BurkeEnsembleBroadway debut
- Gerald CaesarEnsemble
- John Clay IIIAnthony Justin 'AJ' JamesBroadway debut
- Chuck CooperHeadmaster Marrow
- Caleb EberhardtDavid HeardBroadway debut
- Marcus GladneyEnsembleBroadway debut
Notable Replacements
- Jonathan BurkePharus Jonathan Young
- Ryan Jamaal SwainEnsembleBroadway debut
Creative Team
- Trip CullmanDirector
- Tarell Alvin McCraneyPlaywright
- Jason Michael WebbMusic Direction
Quick Facts
- CriticScore
- 80/100 (53 reviews)
- Status
- Closed
- Opened
- Jan 8, 2019
- Closed
- Mar 10, 2019
- Run Length
- 2 months
- Synopsis
- Choir Boy is a coming-of-age play by American playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney. The play premiered in September 2012 at the Royal Court Theatre, London, before going on to play productions at New York City Center, Alliance Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, and many more regional theaters across the United States.
- Data Last Updated
- October 7, 2026
