Tarell Alvin McCraney Battles “High-Class” Homophobia with Music

by Joseph Mutti

“Choir Boy” illustrates how homophobia persists in the supposedly Christian world of the Charles R. Drew Preparatory School for Boys,  an elite African American private school. Of course, it’s the scholarship student that the rich boys attack.

Oscar-winning Oakland playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney conjures a teen hero who deals with being born Black and gay. One boy must battle both privilege and religion to assert his natural identity.

McCraney gives us a stereotypical gay student Pharus (William Schmidt), who insists on confronting his tormenters. Pharus is not an innocent or likeable hero. He swishes openly and sleeps on purple satin sheets in silk pajamas. Pharus is in their faces. This is not the clichéd story of a frightened, gay student—but a call to arms.

Pharus’ nemesis is a privileged student, the headmaster’s nephew, Bobby (Miles Meckling). Meckling leans heavily into the angry homophobic bully intent on making Pharus’ life a misery.

Other boys follow suit as they try to topple Pharus as Lead Singer. But singing and dancing between scenes reveal powerful truths.

When headmaster Marrow (Fred Pitts) is confronted by out-and-proud Pharus, he tries to enforce an out-of-date school code: “Minds clean, hands clean.” The headmaster wants to keep the talented Pharus as his lead singer in the school choir. The boy loves to sing, but not at the cost of betraying his very identity.

Marrow feebly acknowledges Pharus’ sexuality, asking if he would like “more space.” As usual, he is blaming the victim.

Pharus’ torment is alleviated by his wise and loving jock roommate, Anthony (Wesley Barker), who stands as an ally to his friend.  Even though Anthony is warned: “Careful who you walk with.”

In an interesting twist, the clueless,  white apologist teacher, Mr. Pendleton (Malcom B. Rogers) powerfully confronts the snobbish Black students about their use of the N-word.

David (Omar Stewart), the uptight minister in training, has a secret, a time bomb. Liked by all the boys, Stewart’s charismatic David brings on the storm.

Junior (Chachi Delgado) embodies a slow but sweet boy, taunted by his peers, who shines as an enthusiastic singer and dancer. He refuses to expose his friends by responding with the best line in the play:  “I saw two people being people.”

Deanna L. Zibello’s set of five elegant archways of weathered old bricks stands for the historic Black school.  The red brickwork casts an old-fashioned, threatening darkness.

Director Darryl V. Jones deftly stages vigorous singing and dancing between scenes to amp up the conflicts. The limp wrist dance at the end suggests a level of acceptance. But the battle is never over.

The repurposed spiritual message of “I’ve Got a Rainbow Round my Shoulders” highlights the mingling of the play’s gay theme with traditional religious oppression. Indeed, the very last spiritual, “I’ve Been in the Storm so Long,” illustrates why Pharus is out and angry, recklessly rocking the boat at stuffy Drew Academy.

“Choir Boy” is a raucous, fast-moving musical revelation of what it means to be gay in an African American religious environment. But one strong, gifted, and committed youth chips away at institutional injustice.

Pharus is still punished, and homophobia lives on, but he is far from defeated. Join the fight and the fun at Shotgun Players!

 

“Choir Boy” by Tarell Alvin McCraney, directed by Darryl V. Jones, music director Daniel Alley, scenic design by Deanna L. Zibello, costumes by Jasmine Milan Williams, lighting by Stephanie Anne Johnson, choreography by Aejay Antonis Marquis.

Shotgun Players, Berkeley. Info: shotgunplayers.org – to October 26, 2024.

Cast:  Fred Pitts, William Schmidt , Malcolm Rodgers, Miles Meckling, Chachi
Delgado, Wesley Barker, Omar Stewart, and Brandon DiPaola.

Banner photo: Brandon DiPaola, William Schmidt, Omar Stewart, Wesley Barker, & Chachi Delgado. Photos: Ben Krantz