Photo Flash: First Look at Manhattan Theatre Club's CHOIR BOY!

Manhattan Theatre Club's American premiere of Tarell Alvin McCraney's Choir Boy, the new play featuring gospel music directed by Trip Cullman begins previews tonight at 7:30 PM in preparation for a Tuesday, July 2 opening at MTC's The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street). Check out a first look below!

The limited engagement of Choir Boy features Nicholas L. Ashe (The Lion King), Kyle Beltran (In The Heights), Grantham Coleman (As You Like It), Tony Award winner Chuck Cooper (The Piano Lesson), Drama Desk Award winner Austin Pendleton(Ivanov), Jeremy Pope (Little Shop of Horrors), and Wallace Smith (American Idiot).

In order to ensure that tickets to Choir Boy are affordable to the widest possible, most diverse audiences, MTC is pricing all tickets at $30. Tickets are on sale via CityTix (212-581-1212), www.nycitycenter.org and at the New York City Center Box Office.

The Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys is dedicated to the creation of strong, ethical black men. Pharus (Jeremy Pope) wants nothing more than to take his rightful place as leader of the school's legendary gospel choir. Can he find his way inside the hallowed halls of this institution if he sings in his own key?

Photos by Joan Marcus

Jeremy Pope, Chuck Cooper

Grantham Coleman, Jeremy Pope

Jeremy Pope, Chuck Cooper

Jeremy Pope, Austin Pendleton, Wallace Smith, Grantham Coleman, Kyle Beltran

Nicholas L. Ashe, Wallace Smith, Grantham Coleman, Kyle Beltran, Jeremy Pope

Jeremy Pope, Kyle Beltran, Nicholas L. Ashe, Wallace Smith, Grantham Coleman

Kyle Beltran, Jeremy Pope, Grantham Coleman, Wallace Smith, Nicholas L. Ashe