Centaur Theatre
October 10, 2018
Till October 28, 2018
The Centaur Theatre opened its 50th season last night with Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play, Choir Boy directed by Mike Payette. The bar has been set high for what will follow in the months to come. The play which runs slightly over 90 minutes without intermission runs smoothly and never leaves you restless. The set is spacious and allows for many scene changes and creative lighting.
Choir Boy is a coming-of-age story buoyed by the joyous harmonies of Gospel music and R&B under the direction of Musical Director and Arranger, Floydd Ricketts.
Principle actor Steven Charles plays the role of Pharus Jonathan Young. Pharus was born to sing and wants nothing more than to take his rightful place as leader of the school’s legendary choir. Will the school have the courage to accept a gay choirmaster, or will it muzzle this angelic voice determined to be heard?
This is the first stage appearance in Montreal for Steven Charles, but I predict we will be seeing a lot more of him in the future. He has spent most of his career touring United States, Europe and Japan doing musicals.
Rounding out this beautifully blended cast is veteran actor Paul Rainville, no stranger to the Centaur stage, as Mr. Pendleton. Koodos to the entire cast for a job well done. In particular the a cappella harmonies.
