Ryan Jamaal Swain, who was seen as Damon Richards on the FX series Pose, will make his Broadway debut in the Manhattan Theatre Club production of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy beginning February 26 at the Friedman Theatre.
Swain, who also wrote and starred in the solo play A Negro Writer, will join the ensemble of the critically acclaimed drama and will also understudy the role of Pharus. He has previously been seen in productions of Kill Move Paradise, 13 Alabama Ghosts, and Jeffrey.
Manhattan Theatre Club recently extended—for the second time—its limited Broadway engagement of Choir Boy; performances will now continue through March 10.
As previously reported, the show's star, Jeremy Pope, will depart February 24 to join the cast of Ain’t Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations on Broadway (previews begin February 28). Ensemble member and understudy Jonathan Burke will take over the leading role of Pharus for the remaining two weeks of the run.
Read: WITH BROADWAY’S CHOIR BOY, MOONLIGHT WRITER TARELL ALVIN MCCRANEY MAKES NECESSARY THEATRE
Choir Boy is directed by Trip Cullman with choreography by Camille A. Brown. The story follows the hopes and dreams of the young singers at the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys, with a cast made up of Nicholas L. Ashe as Junior Blake, John Clay III as Anthony Justin “AJ” James, Chuck Cooper as Headmaster Marrow, Caleb Eberhardt as David Heard, J. Quinton Johnson as Bobby Marrow, Austin Pendleton as Mr. Pendleton, and Pope as Pharus. The ensemble of Choir Boy is made up of Daniel Bellomy, Burke, Gerald Caesar, and Marcus Gladney.
Read reviews for the Broadway production here.
The production's creative team includes Jason Michael Webb (music direction, arrangements, and original music), David Zinn (scenic and costume design), Peter Kaczorowski (lighting design), Fitz Patton (original music and sound design), Cookie Jordan (hair & make-up design), and Thomas Schall (fight director).
