FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE / WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF Previews

Seven women are coming back home to tell their stories.

The first Broadway revival of Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf begins previews tomorrow night at the Booth Theatre (where it originally opened in 1976), before an April 20 official opening. Directed and choreographed by Camille A. Brown, the ensemble piece features Amara Granderson, Tendayi Kuumba, Kenita R. Miller, Okwui Okpokwasili, Stacey Sergeant, Alexandria Wailes, and D. Woods. for colored girls will play a limited engagement through August 14.

This is another play I have read multiple times; I have seen a performance of it on YouTube as well. I am eager to find out how Brown will approach this piece.

“Join the circle as seven powerful women share their stories, find their strength, and rejoice in each other’s humor and passion through a fusion of music, dance, poetry, and song that explodes off the stage and resonates with us all. It’s time for joy. It’s time for sisterhood. It’s time for colored girls.”

Who’s joining the circle?

Updated On: 3/31/22 at 12:00 AM

Did anyone go tonight? 90 minute runtime, no intermission.

Went last night. it is a bit rough in concept of what is happening. The production does indeed have alot more dance because of Camille. But, I am unclear on the purpose. All around perhaps more workshop tine for Camille to figure out what she actually wants out of the piece other than dance.

The house was 1/4 full. People trickled in late but it was ok.

I too saw this at the Public… not as buzzy as the public but acceptable

The house was a quarter filled? That's terrible. I will never know the reason they put this on Broadway and in this current climate. It's a very heavy show with a very specific audience, and as we've seen with the grosses, people want a light, fun show right now. This makes me sad because it's a brilliant work.

Is there a rush policy or day-of discounts for this show? I can't find one and am curious...

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "TaffyDavenport said: "If anyone's interested, I have one of those $20.22 promo tickets that I won't be able to use, for Sunday, March 17th, at 3 p.m. I can return it, but I'd rather pass along the savings. Seat is orchestra BB 101 (second row). It came out to $31.72 with fees, and I have the PDF to forward. PM me!"

did you mean 4/17? if so I would be interested

"

Yes, 4/17, sorry. PM'd you.

I saw this tonight (TDF tickets put us in Orchestra A 3-7). And overall I was really pleased. I thought the cast, overall, was fantastic, with standout performances from Kenita R. Miller, Tendayi Kuumba, and Stacey Sargeant. The pacing and transitions between a few of the vignettes still needs a little bit of tightening, but when the show landed (and it did more than it didn't), it landed beautifully. Running time was about 1:40.

I thought the lighting and projections were excellent, adding to the mood and energy of each piece without being distracting. The movement was excellent, and I could very much Camille Brown scoring a Tony nom for her choreography.

Overall, I highly recommend it.

Love to hear more about the design/direction. I honestly don't know much about this piece other than it's a bunch of monologues/vignettes?

Leaving the show now, and I can’t even find the words to describe how deeply I adored this production.

The house seemed full tonight, by the way.

Updated On: 4/6/22 at 09:51 PM

Went into this not really knowing anything about it outside of the general concept and have to say it made for a pretty wonderful night. There were definitely moments where I didn't quite understand the poem or where I felt I had lost the thread, but the overall vibe and energy that the cast was giving really kept me into it despite not comprehending the actual words.

I really love the choreography in this (this season is shaping up to be a pretty exciting Tony category for choreo), and many of the segments involve only one or a few of the women speaking either while simultaneously doing the choreography or while other members of the cast dance around them. It really changes from poem to poem (some have the full cast on stage while some only have one, and pretty much every combination in between), but the way the movement is incorporated into the piece is really masterful.

The set is quite simple, mostly made up of different hanging panels that serve as projection screens, but the way they use color really enhances the show to a degree that I would not have expected. All the elements in general really come together quite well (though there were times when an actor was half in shadow, so not sure if that's a kink to be worked out in previews or if that was deliberate).

I agree that Alexandria Wailes was really quite special to watch, but D. Woods as the Lady in Yellow also stood out to me, though really the entire cast is top-notch. It's not necessarily one of my new favorite plays but the general energy in the room from both the cast and the audience made it feel really special, and I'll probably purchase a copy to read sometime in the near future.

It’s a little over 90 mins. I think i was on the street at 9:45 tonight but it also started at about 8:10.

chrishuyen said: "MadsonMelo said: "Guys, is it 90 minutes period?

I was thinking on seeing this 2pm on Saturday and then head to Sleep No More at 4pm, google Maps says it would took me less than 20 minutes to go from one place to another. Too risky?"

Show started at about 8:10 today, and I didn't check the time when I got out (though I texted my friend at 9:45 when I was on the street), but from my experience at Sleep No More a couple weeks ago, I don't think they're super strict on the timing. Then again, I saw an 8pm show on a Friday which might've been busier, but their line stretched down the block and I probably got into the building right around 8pm while there was still a decent number of people behind me (again, based on my texts, since you essentially lock your phone in a bag upon entering). I've heard that if you show up early there are extra things to see though, so while it might be doable, may not be the best experience overall."


thanks, also one more thing, I will likely buy directly from the site. Is there any discount or so to Sleep No More?

TaffyDavenport said: "If anyone's interested, I have one of those $20.22 promo tickets that I won't be able to use, for Sunday, Aprl 17th, at 3 p.m. I can return it, but I'd rather pass along the savings. Seat is orchestra BB 101 (second row). It came out to $31.72 with fees, and I have the PDF to forward. PM me!"

This ticket is still available.