Explore the Complexities of Life in a Rigid Environment

Welcome to Prep School

The Charles R. Drew Preparatory School is a strict, religious institution whose mission is to educate black high-school boys to be ethical men and successful members of their communities. Rules and traditions abound in this, their 50th Anniversary year. 

In a series of vignettes, this play with wonderful Gospel music explores the complexities of life in a rigid environment, and the coming-of-age of young men of diverse backgrounds and sexuality through the lives of five students involved in the school choir during their senior year. Playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney, who wrote Moonlight, explores themes of classism, racism, homophobia, and differing philosophical beliefs in this well-written, intelligent, and engaging play.

Prepare for a Range of Emotions

Pharus (Brian Brown) is the leader of the choir and lives for the possibility of singing at his graduation. At the end of his junior year, he hesitated during his solo at the ceremony, having been distracted by another student, Bobby (Joshua Garrett in his debut performance), quietly calling him racial and sexual slurs. This has put a stain on his reputation that he wants to make up for by singing a solo at his own graduation, a break from tradition. His drive and determination seem obsessive at times, as he avoids his own complex feelings. He baits Bobby, who is the epitome of the angry young man, finding offense at every turn. The two are on a collision course that will affect both their futures. 

Pharus is a true believer, talking about Jesus and his mission in life to uplift the spirit, while living in an environment that finds his sexuality immoral. Brian Brown plays him as a bit overwrought, acting sure of himself and his beliefs, while at the same time being vulnerable and conflicted, not about his sexuality per se, but about acting on it.

Justin Garrett plays David, a frightened young man who is terrified of failing and disappointing his family. A scholarship student, he is looked down upon by the legacy students like Bobby. He changed from being a bit of a bully himself, to becoming very religious, planning to be a pastor, but his inability to deal with his own demons causes him to experience what he most feared.

Perrin Leftwich, Jr. as Junior, is second banana to Bobby in the bullying department, but his heart is not really in it. Cordell Hopkins as Anthony is a delight as roommate and true friend to Pharus. He has great stage presence and excellent comic timing.

Gerald Ramsey plays Headmaster Marrow as a strict, but kind man, who conforms to the rigid system, but one senses he is not all that happy about it at times. Ross Hewitt is Mr. Pendleton, a white teacher who trips all over himself in true old-white-man fashion when he first meets the boys, then genuinely attempts to help them to think creatively “outside the box” about issues that matter to them.

Karen Saxon is both Director and Music Director. Curtis Lovell is the Choreographer. All of the high-school boys are excellent singers. The a capella spirituals and choreography meld nicely into the mood on stage. The songs become another language for the boys and are a highlight of the show.

A Lot to Enjoy and Ponder

The many, many scene changes interrupt the flow of the drama as the boys’ feelings and behavior become more intense and secrets are unveiled. More than one scene change was longer than the just completed vignette, unnecessarily lengthening the play. Audience members were heard grumbling about the deadening wait between scenes. Yours truly may or may not have been one of them. 

That said, there is much to enjoy and to ponder in Choir Boy, a serious play about how black boys become men, the challenges they face in a rigid environment, and what they experience during that time of adolescence that can seriously affect their futures.