"Choir Boy" Invites Attendees to Keep Their Eyes on the Prize
Malik Deshon Fortner, Kevin Jones, Aaron Quinton Thomas, Allen Griffin and Corbin Griffin in “Choir Boy” at the Benson Theater. Photo credit: Dawaune Lamont Hayes
By Ashley Salem
Sitting in my booth
Photo credit: Ashley Salem
This past Friday, I grabbed a dress and some flats and waltzed my way to the Benson Theater to see the play “Choir Boy.” If you have yet to see a show at this newly renovated space, you are missing out. Executive Director Michelle Troxclair, Founding Director Amy Ryan and the entire Benson Theatre team accomplish the mission of serving the community. With a beautiful foyer and an upscale bar, you are in for a treat. The tiered and booth seating makes you feel part of the show. The acoustics, soft lighting, and the ability to order drinks and food at your own cozy booth makes the Benson Theater a classy atmosphere.
After getting comfortable in my booth, I was rhythmically swept away with spirit-filled songs and hymns as the a cappella voices of the show's young Black men flowed to every seat in the room. “Choir Boy” was written by Tarell Alvin McCraney who won an Academy Award with Barry Jenkins for best adapted script for the movie “Moonlight.” The production was directed by Omaha native Nik Witcomb, who will soon be moving to New York City to be the Program Director for the Black Theater Collective. Justin Payne, a classically-trained tenor from Omaha who has performed throughout Europe, provided musical direction.
Roommates A.J. and Pharus played by Aaron Quinton Thomas and Allen Griffin. Photo credit: Dawaune Lamont Hayes
The play tells the story of several Black male students at Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys who sing in the school choir. The show gives attendees an open window into each character’s life as they wrestle and explore topics of faith, race and sexuality.
The school is invested in uplifting and creating “strong, ethical Black men.” From a variety of backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, and personal interests, these young men are about their business. The business of Black excellence. With their clean pressed uniforms, husky tones and harmonies, each character brings their own layer to the overall story and motif of identity.
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The central character, Pharus, played by Allen Griffin, wants nothing more than to make his mother proud, showcase his personal interest in singing, and be accepted for who he is. When Pharus engages with his peers, he is outspoken and bold whether he’s going toe-to-toe with another student about a theory or flirting with his cute roommate. The show definitely gives big brother energy. And I smiled at the tenderness and support of the characters towards one another. Sometimes, despite their differences of opinion, the main characters are concerned about their peers’ personhood. Sometimes that results in telling half-truths, and further examining truths of identity that they themselves are still navigating.
The choir sings a version of “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize,” a folk song popular during the civil rights era. Pharus shares a sentiment about the spirit of Negro spirituals. His perspective is different from his classmates, yet on each of their faces, it's evident that they are challenging or solidifying their own stances. Throughout the show, I saw the characters vacillate in their beliefs, as they prepared for graduation and the next steps into adulthood that would soon ensue.
The cast includes Jordan Willis, Malik Deshon Fortner, Kevin Jones, Aaron Quinton Thomas, Corbin Griffin and Michael Taylor-Stewart.
