From Academy Award-winning writer Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight, The Brother/ Sister Plays), comes this exhilarating and tender coming of age story. Nancy Medina’s celebrated production premiered at Bristol Old Vic in 2023 and won three Black British Theatre Awards including Best Production and Best Director.
Pharus is a confident and gifted singer who has earned his position as soloist. But when his pride is sullied by one of his peers, he falters… what does it mean to be a young, Black, queer man – and to be one at the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys?
We’re sent on an electrifying journey through the growing pains of humanity as, together, the boys navigate spirituality, sexuality, race, identity, and brotherhood in their journey to becoming men. Threaded throughout with soul-stirring a cappella gospel hymns and spirituals, this beautiful, joyous play rejoices in all that it means to march to your own drum.
Tarell Alvin McCraney is an American playwright, screenwriter, and actor who is currently Artistic Director of prominent LA theatre Geffen Playhouse. His script In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue is the basis for the 2016 Oscar-winning film Moonlight directed by Barry Jenkins, for which McCraney and Jenkins won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Tarell’s plays include WE ARE GATHERED, The Brother/Sister Plays trilogy (The Brothers Size, In the Red and Brown Water and Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet), Head of Passes, Wig Out! and Choir Boy which was nominated for four Tony Awards.
Nancy Medina was appointed Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic in 2023, where she has directed Choir Boy, A Good House and The Beautiful Future is Coming. Other directing credits include The Darkest Part of the Night (Kiln Theatre), Moreno (Theatre503), Trouble in Mind (National Theatre), Two Trains Running (Royal & Derngate/ETT), Strange Fruit (Bush Theatre), The Half God of Rainfall (Birmingham Rep) and Yellowman (Young Vic). Nancy is currently directing littleboy/littleman at the Geffen Playhouse, LA. She is also the recipient of the 2024 Black British Theatre Best Director Award for Choir Boy, 20/21 Peter Hall Bursary (National Theatre) and the 2018 Sir Peter Hall Director Award (Royal & Derngate/ETT).
NEED TO KNOW:
- Tickets: from £10
- Age guidance: 14+
- Presented by Stratford East. Originally produced by Bristol Old Vic
- Opening night 31 March 2026
