![]() ![]() “I wanted to create an opportunity and a space for audiences to see all of these men in their complexities. I’m not preaching if I just write my life,” Scott replied. “I just write my people as I know they are. “What you saw here today was a redemption on Black masculinity,” Dyson commented. Keenan Scott, II ’09 took time after his show to speak to as many of the students and alumni in attendance as he could.Īs the standing ovation subsided, the cast acknowledged Frostburg State University’s presence in the house before Scott was whisked to the edge of the stage for a post-show talkback with famed author/speaker and Vanderbilt University Professor Michael Eric Dyson. And, at the end, students rose to their feet to applaud the actors, producers and one of their own. The black and red production design colors were reminiscent of Scott’s alma mater (either by chance or design). Scott stood out in front of the theatre, under a yellow and black awning that adorned his name in bold, 15-inch font, wearing his “Frostburg Alumni” hoodie.Īlumni and faculty, many who ventured to NYC on their own, joined up with the Frostburg group inside the theatre to listen to the wisdom of Scott’s play – presented in 90 minutes without interruption (because it could not be interrupted).įSU students cheered with the audiences, shouting “yes” and “amen” in agreement with the powerful action and dialogue happening on stage. As FSU students filed off and crossed crowded intersections crammed with honking cabs and busy “New Yawkers,” they were greeted by the welcoming face of the playwright himself. Six hours and several boxes of Pop-Tarts later, the two buses rolled onto 45th Street in Times Square, stopping a few blocks from The John Golden Theatre – the home to Scott’s acclaimed brainchild. I’m not preaching if I just write my life.” “Hopefully we’re going to have some alone time with Keenan.” “I just write my people as I know they are. “This is not the trip where we have time to run to Central Park to go ice skating,” said Nicole Mattis, chair of the FSU Theatre Department, running through the day’s “to-do” lists, which included having vaccination proof ready to enter the theatre and the orderly dispersing of tickets. ![]() Critics have heralded the piece as “captivating and piercing” and “the most important play of the 21st century.” And it was written while Scott was a theatre major at FSU and first performed in the very Performing Arts Center where students have gathered today, predawn. Three new cast members had recently been announced to join the cast starting in January.Scott’s dramatic work about a day in the lives of seven Black men in New York City has been receiving rave reviews since its opening this past fall. Upon closing, the cast included Dyllón Burnside, Bryan Terrell Clark, Da’Vinchi, Luke James, Forrest McClendon, Tristan Mack Wilds and Esau Pritchett. The production says it was the “first Broadway show to be written, directed by, starring and lead produced by Black men.” Broadnax III and produced by Brian Moreland, Ron Simons, Diana DiMenna, Samira Wiley and Sheryl Lee Ralph. As a new show, it was not eligible for the up to $10 million in federal grant funding received by productions that began before the theatrical shutdown. “Thoughts of a Colored Man” was capitalized for up to $5 million. “Chicken & Biscuits” was the first this season to cite COVID-19 show cancellations for its closure in November. “Jagged Little Pill” announced Monday that it had already played its final show. This is the third production to end its run early during the most recent wave of the coronavirus, and it comes immediately after “Waitress” announced its closure. “We have tried our hardest to safely navigate the current unfortunate health crisis, but ultimately we are unable to continue under the unfortunate conditions of Covid exposure in the city and country,” the show posted on social media late Thursday. Scott stepped into one of the role in the play Tuesday night, after a cast member tested positive for COVID-19 and two others called out with non-COVID related illnesses. 13, 2021 and was scheduled to run through March 13. The new play, written by Keenan Scott II, played its final performances Wednesday night. “Thoughts of a Colored Man” has ended its Broadway run, producers announced Thursday.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |