Stop Choir Boy Play Analysis

Queer theatre is largely dominated by men, but women like Diana Son have found their place within the movement. Since the play, she has gone on to have a successful career in television, but this particular piece of work has become a timeless classic. With deep undertones of intolerance and self-discovery, Stop Kiss, keeps things light hearted and comical. Comparisons to sitcoms such as Friends and Seinfeld, with catchy one liners, have been drawn in order to describe the nature of the piece. Son’s method of addressing real issues without the use of over the top flashy gay scenes and graphic violence appeals audiences of all backgrounds. The play manages to have laughable moments without the need for fabulosity and its exaggerated glamour and

Choir Boy, written by Tarell Alvin McCraney, lets viewers into the world of adolescent boys as they struggle with of their sexuality and self. The play centers on the main character, Pharus, a black young man who attends Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys. As denoted by the play’s title, Pharus, is in the choir and is preparing anxiously for his solo performance of the school anthem at a graduation ceremony. During his much anticipated performance he is heckled with gay slurs by a classmate in the crowd. Pharus later finds himself in some trouble for not exposing the name of the boy who mocked him, but instead holding the card in his pocket to later use to his advantage. His character is not portrayed as a wilting wallflower, but rather he is occasionally overconfident and calculating. The school’s pride is their choir, which Pharus leads. At the first choir meeting Pharus kicks out the boy, Bobby, whom he believes is the cause of his humiliation. Pharus does not speak about his sexuality, but rather does not stifle his effeminate behavior. Choir Boy is filled with subplots which some critics believe served no real purpose in the play. However, the importance of the topic is so significant, and the character of Pharus is so eloquently written, that the flaws of the work can be easily overlooked. The coming of age story tackles what life is for a gay teen