Playbill UniverseRead Reviews for Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls… Off-BroadwayDirected by Leah C. Gardiner and choreographed by Camille A. Brown, the revival of the choreopoem opened at the Public Theatre October 22.
By
Mark Peikert
October 22, 2019
Alexandria Wailes and cast of for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enufJoan Marcus
The Public Theater's revival of Ntozake Shange’s for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf officially opened October 22. The new production of Shange’s groundbreaking choreopoem (originally seen at The Public in 1976 before transferring to Broadway) is directed by Obie winner Leah C. Gardiner with choreography by Tony nominee Camille A. Brown.
Inspired by personal events, for colored girls weaves poetry, song, and movement to tell the story of seven women of color, each identified solely by a color. With unflinching honesty and emotion, each woman voices her survival story of having to exist in a world shaped by sexism and racism.
The production features an ensemble made up of Sasha Allen as Lady in Blue, Celia Chevalier as Lady in Brown, Danaya Esperanza as Lady in Orange, Jayme Lawson as Lady in Red, Adrienne C. Moore as Lady in Yellow, Okwui Okpokwasili as Lady in Green, and Alexandria Wailes as Lady in Purple.
The Public revival began previews October 8 and continues through December 1. The production features an all-women-of-color creative team, with scenic design by Myung Hee Cho, costumes by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Jiyoun Chang, sound design by Megumi Katayama, and original composition by Martha Redbone.
Next year, Carnegie Hall's house band will perform Bernstein’s “Kaddish” Symphony, unfinished works by Schubert, and the final concert of Conductor Bernard Labadie.
