Thoughts of a Colored Man is produced by Brian Moreland, Ron Simons, Diana DiMenna, Samira Wiley, Sheryl Lee Ralph, The Shubert Organization, and The Nederlander Organization. Simmons, lighting designer Ryan O’Gara, projection designer Sven Ortel, and sound designer Mikaal Sulaiman. The creative team also includes composers Te’La and Brother Kamau, set designer Robert Brill, costume designers Toni-Leslie James and Devario D. The play, previously seen at Syracuse Stage and Baltimore Center Stage, explores a single day in the pulsing heart of Brooklyn, as seven Black men discover the extraordinary together through a blend of spoken word, slam poetry, rhythm, and humor. The two step out of the stage door to discuss the momentous occasion, and the latter offers an a cappella performance as the inaugural audience files in. In the new video above, Wilds and James commemorate the recent first performance with a special blessing of the production and for all of Broadway. Broadnax III, features Pose breakout Dyllón Burnside, Tony nominee Forrest McClendon ( The Scottsboro Boys), Luke James (Showtime’s The Chi), Bryan Terrell Clark ( Hamilton), Da’Vinchi (Showtime’s Black Mafia Family), Esau Pritchett (Fox's Prodigal Son), and Tristan "Mack" Wilds (HBO’s The Wire). Originally slated for October 31, opening night will now take place October 13. For tickets, call the box office at (410) 332-0033, or purchase them online.Keenan Scott II’s Thought of a Colored Man, which began previews at Broadway’s John Golden Theatre October 1, has pushed up its official Broadway premiere. Thoughts of a Colored Man plays through November 10, 2019, at Baltimore Center Stage – 700 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD. Running Time: 90 minutes, with no intermission. Note: Center Stage dedicated the October 17th performance to the late Congressman Elijah E. One of the characters in Thoughts of a Colored Man intoned: “Everybody wants to be Black, until it’s time to be Black.” Broadnax has directed a show that should make all people of all backgrounds see a small part of themselves. Wright (Woman #2/Dance Captain) and Ashley Pierre-Louis (Woman #1) danced to. Téla and KAMAUU provided mood-setting music against which Hollie E. O’Gara’s spotlighting was always on target. Scenic Designer Robert Brill created an impressive billboard-like structure on which Projection Designer Sven Ortel placed images and Lighting Designer Ryan J. Anger spoke of being so talented on the court, that “gravity would cease” he also spoke of his objectification: “Instead of hanging us, they hung jerseys.”įorrest McClendon’s Depression, a Whole Foods grocer (complete with a costume provided by Co-Costume Designers Toni-Leslie James and Devario Simmons) was funniest in a scene in which he played a one-up game of we-were-so-poor jokes e.g. Garrett Turner’s Anger was a basketball coach who lamented the trials of the Black student-athlete. The main cast comprises Dyllón Burnside, Bryan Terrell Clark, DaVinchi, Esau Pritchett, Luke James, Forrest McClendon and Tristan Macks Wild. Reynard had a memorable monologue in which Happiness recounted the pressures of being gay and Black: “Can I just be myself?” Happiness, the gay, corporate Brother, played by Jody Reynard, was the center of a barbershop discussion that touched on gentrification, Black economics, and sexuality. Bates’ rapport with the brilliant Brandon Dion Gregory’s Passion was amazing. Wisdom was the social glue among the characters. The fatherly Jerome Preston Bates played Wisdom, a barber, with commanding stage presence, his voice an unforgettable baritone. Swain’s love language was a poetic balm to Lust’s words. Piniella’s sexual zingers cut the air like a mischievous Cupid’s arrow. Reynaldo Piniella, who played Lust, and Ryan Jamaal Swain (a star of FX Network’s “POSE”), who played Love, portrayed contrasting styles of dealing with the opposite sex in their scenes. Many of the scenes start with narrative and evolve into poetic monologues, complete with asides to the audience. “I thought about the emotions that I go through, of feeling angry, lustful, depressed, and I realized these are not thoughts and emotions that are unique to me, but something that all human beings go through and feel.” The characters in this play have allegorical names: Anger, Depression, Happiness, Love, Lust, Passion, and Wisdom. As Broadnax wrote: “As a man of color, I know too well that these distorted images have the dangerous potential to limit our humanity.” Thematically, Thoughts of a Colored Man wages battle against inaccurate and superficial images of Black men in America. In a play this outstanding, all races and sexes can relate to the emotions displayed on stage. Broadnax III has directed a show that is both narrative and poetry, depressive and comic, without being preachy. Playwright Keenan Scott II has written, and Steve H. Thoughts of a Colored Man is a poetic journey through the lives of seven Black men over the course of a day in Brooklyn, New York.
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