thanks, theater guy; wow, that was 2004? Seems like yesterday.
Is it annoying to anyone else that, with so many promising directors of color directing off broadway and regionally, Kenny Leon seems to have to direct most African-American themed plays on broadway? We've already seen his take on the play,ten years ago. After seeing his brilliant production of The Piano Lesson,I would have much rather seen a production by Rubin Santiago-Hudson
Saw this last night. It's a fine production. Nothing truly outstanding, but nothing bad either. This production belongs to the women in virtually every way. Denzel- though he looks great and acts with a youthfulness- can't help the fact he is simply too old for the role. Anika Noni Rose (also too old for her role by two decades) has a preternatural youthfulness that makes her more believable.
Stephen McKinley Henderson and David Cromer make strong impressions and do very fine work in their small roles, too.
However, it must be said that opening the production with an audio clip of Hansberry herself speaking on how theatre should not be constrained to Broadway and should be make accessible to all people, especially young people (a sentiment which drew applause) seems incredibly hollow considering the average ticket price for this is $134, and they offer no discounts, no rush tickets.
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