Skip to main content

A Review of the Play, Thoughts of a Colored Man, at Baltimore Center Stage

I recently saw Thoughts of a Colored Man, the second play of the 2019/2020 season at Baltimore Center Stage. This play is written by Keenan Scott III and directed by Steve H. Broadnax III with co-production with Syracuse Stage. Per Keenan Scott II, “I’ve lived in New York and in Maryland. I’ve lived in the inner city, a suburb and a rural area. This play is influenced by my upbringing and the things I have experienced in and out of my community in these locations.”

In this play, there were seven facets of the Black man (wisdom, passion, depression, lust, happiness, love, and anger) that were explored over one day in a gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhood in New York City. Although I had the program which indicated which actor played which part, I wanted to watch the play and guess which facet they each represented. I was right most of the time, but there were moments when an actor exhibited more than one facet (e.g. wisdom and love and happiness; happiness and depression; depression and anger, passion and love, etc.).

I loved the scenes in and outside the barbershop, the subway station, the supermarket, etc. where the actors showcased their various roles. Actor Jerome Preston Bates represented WISDOM, teaching the young fellas to have respect not only for themselves but for each other even if they didn’t subscribe to the same thoughts or ideas. Actor Brandon Dion Gregory represented PASSION which he exhibited for his wife and his soon to be role as a new father. Actor Forrest McClendon represented DEPRESSION, having to work a job at the Whole Foods forsaking going to MIT to take care of his mother and younger brother.

Actor Reynaldo Piniella represented LUST oh so well chasing after women without regard for anything else. Actor Jody Reynard represented HAPPINESS having a fantastic job and being able to live in a newly gentrified neighborhood and not having to worry about money.  Actor Ryan Jamaal Swain represented LOVE quite the opposite of LUST where he wants to know a woman and what she’s about. Actor Garrett Turner represented ANGER having lost the ability to play pro basketball because of an injury but teaches young boys how to play.

The imagery represented on stage through poetry, music, and dance gave the audience a glimpse into their brotherhood and an understanding of what it means to be a Black man in today’s society. As a woman of color, it was refreshing to see Black men having a dialogue amongst themselves and supporting each other. It was also refreshing to see them being depicted as more than criminals, thugs, and addicts. They are multi-dimensional, they love, they hurt, they lust, they experience depression, they are simply MORE.  

So, get your tickets today! It’s definitely a must see show which is playing now through November 10, 2019.


ONE THEME, SEVEN VARIATIONS

A world-premiere play from Keenan Scott II, one of today’s boldest new voices, Thoughts of a Colored Man blends language, music, and dance. Welcome to the vibrant inner life of being Black, proud, and thriving in the 21st Century. Set over a single day, this richly theatrical mosaic goes beyond the rhythms of the basketball court and the boisterousness of the barbershop to shed brilliant light into the hearts and minds of a community of men searching for their most triumphant selves.





Check out the video:


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interview with Jacqueline Seewald, Author of THE INHERITANCE

Author’s Bio: Multiple award-winning author, Jacqueline Seewald, has taught creative, expository and technical writing at Rutgers University as well as high school English. She also worked as both an academic librarian and an educational media specialist. Sixteen of her books of fiction have previously been published to critical praise including books for adults, teens and children. Her short stories, poems, essays, reviews and articles have appeared in hundreds of diverse publications and numerous anthologies. What inspired you to write your book? I enjoy writing romantic mystery fiction. The idea for this particular novel just seemed to evolve organically from my imagination. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? I would have to say reading the Bible was influential. As far as regular books go, I’m a big fan of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Is this your first book? How long did it take to start and
20 comments
Read more

It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Debbie Stokes, author of The Stranger He Knew

Author’s Bio: Debbie Stokes was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She has always had a desire to be a published author of a fiction novel, but fear stopped her. She often shares how her story ideas come to her in her dreams, and how she jumps up to write them down. Finally, one day, she pushed past her fear and allowed her vision to come to past. She is now a published author, and The Stranger He Knew is her first book.  Debbie is a former CEO, blogger, and interviewer for her previous women's empowerment blog called, 3 Women Voices, where she shared empowering stories of how people overcame odds to live their best lives. She is also a former contributing writer for FEMI Magazine, a cultural lifestyle magazine, where she interviewed and shared people’s stories.  When not writing, she enjoys singing, dancing, inspiring others, and spending time with family.  Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book? Debbie Stokes: That is a funny story. One day, I went
10 comments
Read more

National Poetry Month’s Feature: Poet Jahi Trotter

Poet’s Bio: Jahi Minkah Trotter was born in Atlanta, GA, and moved to Alabama when he was six years old. He has been writing poetry since he was 11 years old. He has written two poetry books: It Was Already Written (2016) and Adapting To Life: Poems and Quotes by Jahi Minkah Trotter (2020). He developed a love for filmmaking while receiving his bachelor's degree in social science. Jahi decided to continue his quest for filmmaking at Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, GA.   During his final two years at SCAD, Jahi was encouraged by his professors to go into acting while continuing to work behind the camera as well. This was a crucial time for Jahi. He lost his father in 2019 a month before taking an elective acting class that lead him into acting. He lost his mother in 2021 and continues to act and create films, including his thesis film "The Last Job," in which he acted and starred in. Jahi graduated with a master's degree in film and television from S
2 comments
Read more