Playhouse REP to Continue Season with CHOIR BOY

The REP, Point Park University's professional theatre company, continues its 2015-2016 season with "Genius Grant" recipient Tarell Alvin McCraney's play Choir Boy.

Directed by Tomé Cousin, Choir Boy previews on Thursday, Sept. 24, and runs Sept. 25 - Oct. 11, in the Studio Theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Thursday-Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Regular performance tickets range from $25-30. Groups of ten or more receive a discount; student and senior rates also apply. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-392-8000, or online at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com. On preview night, Thursday, Sept. 24, tickets are $15 in advance or Pay-What-You-Want at the door, beginning one hour before curtain and subject to availability.

Originally commissioned by Manhattan Theatre Club, Choir Boy is the story of Pharus, the enthusiastic leader of the Charles R. Drew Prep School choir, whose ambitions and emerging sexuality place him at odds with his classmates and the school's longstanding code of honor. The play features contemporary arrangements of gospel music performed a capella.

Tarell Alvin McCraney is an award-winning playwright and MacArthur Fellow, whose work explores the diversity of African American experiences. McCraney is best known for his acclaimed trilogy, The Brother/Sister Plays: The Brothers Size, In the Red and Brown Water, and Marcus; Or The Secret of Sweet.

The REP's production of Choir Boy features Jason Shavers as Headmaster Marrow, Tru Verret-Fleming as Pharus Jonathan Young, Jeff Howell as Mr. Pendleton, Justin Lonesome as Bobby Marrow, LaTrea Rembert as Junior Davis, Lamont Walker as Anthony Justin "AJ" James, Mel Holley as David Heard. Scenic design is by Lindsay B. Mayer, costume design is by Michael Montgomery, lighting design is by Andrew David Ostrowski, sound design is by Steve Shapiro, Jane Howell serves as musical director, and vocal arrangements are by Darius Smith. Heather Ankley is stage manager.

Tomé Cousin is an internationally recognized director, choreographer, educator, performer, and creator. While maintaining a prolific performance career, he molded an award winning creative reputation that includes collaborations in theatre, dance, music, film, photography, television and literature. B.A. Dance History and Choreography, Point Park University. M.F.A. in New Media Art and Performance, Long Island University. Tomé is on faculty at Carnegie Mellon University in the School of Drama, and is a recent new member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab.

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