![]() They introduce themselves one at a time through spoken word, rhymes and the occasional song. The play functions as a series of snapshots of the lives of the seven men, loosely connected by its setting in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Finally, there’s Wisdom (Esau Pritchett), a griot-type figure who runs a barbershop that doubles as a watering hole for the other men. They both grew up in the church, but Love is an understated hopeless romantic who scribbles poems in his free time while Lust seems to be in competition with himself to see how many women he can sleep with. Love (Dyllón Burnside) and Lust (Da’Vinchi) are two peas in a pod rarely do you see one without the other. He’s an engineering genius but doesn’t have the means or opportunity to prove it. Depression (an incredibly engaging Forrest McClendon) works at the new Whole Foods in the neighborhood to help support his mother and his younger brother. Passion (Luke James) is a teacher committed to his students and has a baby on the way. Anger (Tristan Mack Wilds, in a strong Broadway debut) lives in the shadow of an unrealized dream of playing professional basketball and coaches kids in the neighborhood for a living. We meet him on his morning jog as he takes in the sights, sounds and smells of his new Brooklyn neighborhood. Happiness (Bryan Terrell Clark) is a vision of upward mobility. The protagonists are archetypes of different Black men, sketches reflecting a broad range of experiences. Scott writes in a style, which he terms “ slam narrative,” that recalls Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls… (which will have its own Broadway revival in 2022). The simplicity of the set - designed by Robert Brill - belies the forthcoming narrative roller coaster. Thoughts of a Colored Man opens with little fanfare. It’s thrilling to see Broadway embrace more Black playwrights, but tardy diversity efforts only put more pressure on the works that do end up in front of an audience. There’s no doubt that part of my inner conflict concerns the hype around the show and its moment. Joining a lineup that includes Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu’s Pass Over, Douglas Lyons’ Chicken & Biscuits, Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s and Dominique Morisseau’s Skeleton Crew, Scott stands in good company. Not only does this season represent a trepidatious return to theaters after nearly two years of a pandemic-mandated shutdown, but the inclusion of seven plays by Black playwrights reflects the impact of the national discourse on race in response to George Floyd’s murder. Broadnax III, premieres during a particularly exciting time on Broadway. 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.American Playwriting Foundation to Give Out $10K Awards to WGA Members in Contest The limited engagement is currently scheduled through March 13. Simmons, lighting by Ryan O’Gara, projection design by Sven Ortel, and sound design by Mikaal Sulaiman. Broadnax III-helmed production features music by Te’La and Brother Kamau, a set by Robert Brill, costumes by Toni-Leslie James and Devario D. The cast also includes Tony nominee Forrest McClendon ( The Scottsboro Boys), Bryan Terrell Clark ( Hamilton), Esau Pritchett (Fox's Prodigal Son), and Tristan “Mack” Wilds (HBO’s The Wire). Thompson steps into the show after appearing in the original Broadway cast of Ain’t Too Proud. Piniella, currently in Trouble in Mind on Broadway, joins the company after starring in the play at Baltimore Center Stage and Syracuse Stage. Harris, seen in Amazon’s Harlem, makes his Broadway debut with Thoughts of a Colored Man. ![]() ![]() The play, which opened October 13, 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. Da’Vinchi, Dyllón Burnside, and Luke James will take their final bows at Broadway’s John Golden Theatre January 2 (citing prior commitments), with Kadeem Ali Harris, Reynaldo Piniella, and Christian Thompson waiting in the wings. Three actors will join the cast of Keenan Scott II’s Thoughts of a Colored Man beginning January 4, 2022.
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