Choir Boy an extremely thought provoking production on what the perils of being true to self and conforming for an institution. These institutional pushes to make your private life quiet as long as it goes against the status quo. Written by Tarell Alvin McCraney, its a journey of conditional acceptance in a world that would love to stifle the notion of what it means to be a Black man.
Safety Precautions
Until there are changes as of now in order to attend the showing or any showing at the Philadelphia Theatre Company located at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre you must be vaccinated and boosted if eligible. You also must wear your mask during the duration of your time. Arrive a few moments later to accommodate the showing of your vaccination cards.
What Does it Mean to Be A Black Man?
Even as a Black woman I can’t answer that question. The thoughts of their strength, dignity, and honor are too engulfed to place into words. A Black man has the wealth of the world on his shoulders. Society says they aren’t father or husband material. Black Woman have learned to “live without” them if you ask the right one. This sheltering doesn’t always create a safe space for Black Men to simply be. If we talk about being a Black Man we also have to include Gay, Queer and Trans because contrary to belief they too are included.
Choir Boy
Choir Boy is filled with so many questions. As long as the young men “performed” and did what was expected of them they were allowed to exist or simply be tolerated. This not only happens in school settings such as the play but in church settings too. Too many will accept a Black gay man as a choir director or member as long as they can get the people in the seats. This masking has always occurred. Maybe I “see” it more as a Black woman whose own mother was a choir director. The many church circuits where we saw gay Black men being hushed until their lifestyle provided an issue that the many Pastors simply couldn’t or wouldn’t shelter them.
As I saw the interactions in Choir Boy it took me to that time. It took me to that unsettling feeling of watching a few that I have had the pleasure of knowing hide. They hid who they were in order to be accepted only to find that they would never truly be who they needed to be. Some of them lost so much.
Choir Boy challenges everything about losing in order to be stifled. It was jaw droppingly raw and necessary. The singing was impeccable. Coming from Choir roots I loved the blended harmony. The artist are all very talented.
This show is not suitable for ages under 16 in my opinion. I would recommend leaving any younger child home for this production.
Choir Boy is Must See
My biggest hope is for the many who will see themselves that they have the courage to be true to themselves. The hope that they would have the support to be who they are to be. For the many who have lived or continue to live like this that they can come out of their own shadows. To feel love for who they are and not who they choose to love or to be. Choir Boy represented so much complexity. There were times of shelter even if for a moment. I loved seeing free Black men do what they should be able to do and that is simply be.
Pre Show Vibes
Before the showing I enjoyed the many vibes presented. A lot of the music took me back to being a kid. As my mom would say, when music was music. Get that early enough to enjoy. I hope that this production is the light that the world needs to do better. It isn’t the actors or the many Black men who need the awakening as much as it is those in society who need a quick shaking.
Choir Boy is in production until March 13th. Get your tickets now. Philadelphia Theatre Company hosts their shows at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre located at 480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146.
Thank you to the Philadelphia Theatre Company and Aversa PR for having me.
