Manhattan Theatre Club to produce Tarell Alvin McCraney's Choir Boy on Broadway and more

MTC announces two productions at Broadway's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre and one world premiere at New York City Center's Stage I.

Manhattan Theatre Club has confirmed three productions for its forthcoming 2018-2019 season, including a U.S. premiere and a Broadway premiere at the company's Broadway home of the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.

MTC will kick off its Broadway season with the U.S. premiere of The Nap, written by Olivier Award nominee Richard Bean and directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan, which begins previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on September 4, 2018, before an official opening on September 27.

Synopsis: "The Nap is a very funny look at the world of snooker - the British version of pool. Dylan Spokes, a fast-rising young star arrives for a championship tournament only to be confronted by the authorities warning him of the repercussions of match fixing. Before he knows it, Dylan's forced into underhanded dealings with a cast of wildly colorful characters that include his ex-convict dad, saucy mum, quick-tongued manager and a renowned gangster, to boot. It's a fast-paced comedy thriller where, in an exciting twist, the tournament unfolds live on stage."

Richard Bean is best known for his hit West End and Broadway comedy One Man, Two Guvnors, which starred James Cordon in a Tony Award-winning performance on Broadway in 2012.

Following this, MTC continues its 2018-2019 Broadway season with the Broadway premiere of Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney's Choir Boy, directed by Drama Desk Award nominee Trip Cullman, which begins previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on December 27, 2018, before an official opening on January 22, 2019.

Synopsis: "For half a century, the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys has been dedicated to the education of strong, ethical black men. One talented student has been waiting for years to take his rightful place as the leader of the legendary gospel choir. But can he make his way through the hallowed halls of this institution if he sings in his own key?"

Choir Boy previously played a sold-out, twice-extended, critically acclaimed run at MTC's Studio at Stage II at New York City Center in the summer of 2013. This production will mark the Broadway debut for Tarell Alvin McCraney, who is best known as a 2017 Oscar-winning writer of "Moonlight".

Finally, MTC will kick off its 2018-2019 Off-Broadway season at New York City Center's Stage I with the world premiere of Jaclyn Backhaus' India Pale Ale, directed by Lucille Lortel Award nominee Will Davis, which begins previews on September 4, 2018, ahead of an official opening on September 27.

Synopsis: "In a small Wisconsin town, a tight-knit Punjabi community gathers to celebrate the wedding of a traditional family's only son, just as their strong-willed daughter announces her plans to move away and open a bar. As they come together for feasts filled with singing and dancing, one generation's cherished customs clash with another's modern-day aspirations, and ghosts and pirates from the family's past linger in everyone's thoughts - until one sudden event changes everything."

Ms. Backhaus and Mr. Davis previously collaborated on her play Men on Boats.

Casting and creative team information for all three productions will be announced in the coming months.

As part of its 2018-2019 season, Manhattan Theatre Club will also announced five additional productions at a later date, including a further Broadway production at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, as well as two productions at New York City Center's Stage I and two productions at its Studio at Stage II.