Posted: 12/13/18 at 9:16am
Posted: 12/13/18 at 10:37am
WhizzerMarvin said: "(They also have have changed the program to be 30 under 35!)"
I prefer parallel structure, raise the price to $35!!!
Posted: 12/13/18 at 12:51pm
I remember seeing this Off-Broadway 5 years ago and being simply blown away by Jeremy Pope's performance. I've been seeing professional theater for nearly 40 years, have seen more than 3,000 professional productions, and have seen many of the performances that are ranked among the best of all time. Pope's performance in this is in my personal top 10. I look forward to seeing it again.
Posted: 12/13/18 at 6:14pm
Posted: 12/15/18 at 1:06am
Saw the show tonight. And for a show that just opened in in previews its a well oiled machine. Went in.knowing nothing of the story and enjoyed every minute.
Every actor on that stage is giving a fleshed out and captivating performance. And damn those boys can sing.
I have to say Jeremy Pope is a star. Hilarious and touching. His voice is one of those that is so pure tears form in your eyes as he sings and you have no idea if your happy or sad. It elevates you to another level. Side note as someone having no intention of seeing aint to proud before, learning he will be in the show makes getting a ticket essential.
In a very crowded season for Lead Actor In A Play, Jeremy is a leading contender.
I was able to get rush tickets on today tix. Row B Mezzanine House Right. Sightlines are perfect.
Updated On: 12/15/18 at 01:06 AM
Posted: 12/15/18 at 6:56pm
Like most people on this board, I knew next to nothing about this show before going in- got 30 under 30 tix on a whim.
I absolutely loved it. McCraney's writing is funny and poignant- Pharus' story arc was very touching.
Every one of the choir boys is a great actor and singer, but I too must single out Jeremy Pope. He runs the gamut of emotions from wisecracks to tears and makes the audience really care about his struggle.
Chuck Cooper is great as the headmaster- he has a pitch-perfect one liner about Kanye which is especially funny in light of his latest beef. And Austin Pendleton starts out as comic relief (his first line is perfect) but gets a really interesting arc as the play goes on.
Here's hoping this play and ensemble are remembered at Tony time along with the higher profile fare.
Posted: 12/16/18 at 12:34am
Caught the evening performance tonight, and loved it. Everything said about the actors in the show so far are dead on, Pope especially was brilliant, and the show hit me a lot harder than I thought it would.
A friend of mine working on the production said a lot of changes are going to be put in place before the show is frozen, but they'll mainly be small changes to dialogue to help the show flow, and some tech things that need tweaking.
It's up there as one of the best things MTC has put on though, and also the first performance I've seen in a couple years where the immediate standing ovation felt truly earned.
Posted: 12/16/18 at 1:24am
I was there tonight, and the play is a must see this season. Jeremy Pope is fantastic, as is the entire cast.
Get tickets.
Posted: 12/16/18 at 10:44am
Evans2 said: "Can someone help with the runtime?"
1:40 with no intermission- it flies by
Posted: 12/16/18 at 12:08pm
Posted: 12/16/18 at 12:31pm
Fordham2015 said: "Evans2 said: "Can someone help with the runtime?"
1:40 with no intermission- it flies by"
Thank you so much!
Posted: 12/16/18 at 11:39pm
Wow!
Just back from this tonight and my faith is restored that a playwright still understands their craft and knows how to show us a story, rather than tell us one. And, that story is filled with humor, heart, drama and a universality that makes it a play most everyone can, on some level, relate to.
Mr. McCraney has woven a story filled with sincerity and true emotion. There is not a manipulative scene in the play. I feared when Austin Pendleton entered that it might all derail in a didactic exercise, but the playwright knows his craft. I will happily seek out any and all of his future work.
I don't want to provide spoilers, which I guess is why the play's description is rather vague and non-descript. It's understandbale but, I fear it won't sell many tickets.
The cast is exceptional, one more talented than the next. Jeremy Pope is exceptional, inhabiting a character who experiences a roller-coaster of emotion, without once making it look forced or fake.
The singing and movement is joyous. The lighting and sets are perfect. I'm working hard to find fault with something and happily, I can't.
Oh, heck. It's easier to say that I loved everything about this play and can't wait to go back and bring others.
My favorite play this year.
Updated On: 12/16/18 at 11:39 PM
Posted: 12/17/18 at 9:50pm
Posted: 12/17/18 at 11:04pm
GeorgeandDot said: "Woah these are some great reviews. I guess this just moved up my list. Do we think this could take a nomination for Best Play?"
Absolutely, a nomination and so far, for me, a win. Since it was done off-Bway, would it be considered "new" or a revival? I can never follow how those decisions work.
I hate to over-hype, but I was so excited by this play, I can't stop thinking about it. And, as Whizzer said, this is exactly why I go to the theater.
Posted: 12/17/18 at 11:44pm
wolfwriter said: "GeorgeandDot said: "Woah these are some great reviews. I guess this just moved up my list. Do we think this could take a nomination for Best Play?"
Absolutely, a nomination and so far, for me, a win. Since it was done off-Bway, would it be considered "new" or a revival? I can never follow how those decisions work.
I hate to over-hype, but I was so excited by this play, I can't stop thinking about it. And, as Whizzer said, this is exactly why I go to the theater."
It’ll be considered new. And I am so excited reading these reviews!! I’ve been singing in choirs for years so the vague description did actually sell me, haha... I have tickets for one of the last previews. But now I’m looking forward to it even more.
I do not envy the Tony nominating committee and voters this season. Man.
Posted: 12/18/18 at 1:07am
Posted: 12/18/18 at 8:53pm
Posted: 12/18/18 at 9:52pm
Posted: 12/20/18 at 6:38am
Saw the evening performance last night and still digesting and marinating in what I experienced.
I will echo all of the wonderful things people have been saying about this gem of a show, and add that Jeremy Pope’s performance actually rivals and IMO is *better* (more genuine, raw and real) than Ben Platts’ in Dear Evan Hansen.
This, unlike The Band’s Visit, is an actual *play with music.* And the music is sung so beautifully and powerfully it knocks you out of your seat. I say for sure Jeremy Pope has to be THE top contender for Actor Category at the Tonys this year. I do not want to give too much away, as MTC’s synopsis for this show is a bit vague, but please run do not walk to experience this unique fresh and contemporary piece of theatre we have been blessed with. For sure Pope’s performance is one of the best I have seen on a New York stage EVER. 
Updated On: 12/20/18 at 06:38 AM
Posted: 12/20/18 at 9:20am
Looks like I'm going to be the first person to recommend tempered expectations. From the rapturous reviews on here, I was expecting the Second Coming, and I just didn't get that. The play is very good, but it certainly isn't perfect. I thought that the music and movement, along with the performances, elevated the material, which, in my opinion, didn't break much new ground. That being said, I think Jeremy Pope definitely has a chance to win the Tony. It's a brilliant performance.
Updated On: 12/20/18 at 09:20 AM
Posted: 12/20/18 at 12:38pm
This really took me by surprise and ended up being one of my favorite shows of 2018. The music and choreography were so perfectly incorporated and so incredibly moving. I loved the cast of characters and the friendship between Anthony and Pharus, in particular, bowled me over. It was also such a pleasure to see so many black people in the audience, since I'm so used to being one of the few POC in the room, and I'm pretty sure I actually spotted Tarrell McCraney himself in the audience last night. This show reminded me a lot of School Girls, in how expertly it mixed heartbreak and hilarity (and the obvious parallel of all black high school dynamic)
Also, not to be that person...but WOW is that cast beautiful. Really appreciated those locker room scenes lol.
Posted: 12/20/18 at 12:55pm
Posted: 12/20/18 at 4:13pm
Production photos are out
http://www.playbill.com/article/a-first-look-at-tarell-alvin-mccraneys-choir-boy-on-broadway
Posted: 12/20/18 at 11:40pm
