THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN Previews

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/30/21 at 12:04am

One of the first new plays to announce a fall 2021 Broadway run (remember how reassuring that felt?), Thoughts of a Colored Man begins previews tomorrow night at the John Golden Theatre, prior to an October 31 official opening. The play marks the Broadway debuts of writer Keenan Scott II and director Steve H. Broadnax III. Thoughts of a Colored Man is an ensemble piece which features Dyllón Burnside, Bryan Terrell Clark, Esau Pritchett, Da’Vinchi, Luke James, Forrest McClendon, Tristan “Mack” Wilds, Garrett Turner, and Bjorn Dupaty. The limited run is currently set to conclude March 20.

“As the sun rises on a single day in the pulsing heart of Brooklyn, seven Black men are about to discover the extraordinary – together. By Keenan Scott II, one of today’s boldest new voices, Thoughts of a Colored Man blends spoken word, slam poetry, rhythm, and humor into a daringly universal new play. Welcome to the vibrant inner life of being Black, proud, and thriving in the 21st century. This richly theatrical mosaic shines brilliant light onto these men, a tight-knit brotherhood, revealing their most triumphant selves. Their vibrant and vulnerable experiences and feelings reverberate far beyond the barbershops and basketball courts of their community. They reveal the deeply human hopes, joys, sorrows, fears, and dreams of all men, all people.”

Who’s going?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/30/21 at 12:13am

The biz seems to be putting a lot of stock in this Brian Moreland fella who is making his lead-producing debut with it.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 9/30/21 at 2:08pm

This sounds like it could be really cool. Can’t wait to hear back! And they are partnering with a black-owned merch business!

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/30/21 at 2:39pm

That's so awesome honestly, I look forward to seeing this later this month. For those who are going this evening? Have a wonderful time! 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/30/21 at 2:42pm

Sutton Ross said: "That's so awesome honestly, I look forward to seeing this later this month. For those who are going this evening? Have a wonderful time!"

I’m sure you mean tomorrow evening, Sutton.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/30/21 at 2:45pm

I do! Im sorry, it's been a long year. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/1/21 at 10:40pm

Was anyone at the Golden tonight?

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/3/21 at 9:28am

Has anyone gotten to see this yet?

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 11:27am

They're moving up their opening night quite a bit. Ticket sales look INCREDIBLY sparse. This sounds like it has a lot of potential. I hope great reviews can generate interest. 

 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/THOUGHTS-OF-A-COLORED-MAN-Announces-New-Opening-Night-Date-of-October-13th-20211004

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 11:55am

Reviews would have to be on the level of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY to make a big dent if it's starting out this poorly. If business doesn't really pick up after opening (raves or not), I would be surprised if this lasts until Thanksgiving unless it has a sizable contingency built into its budget.

Per the NYT, its budget is a bafflingly high $5.1 million. By comparison, Chicken & Biscuits cost $3.5, Pass Over $2.8, Lehman Trilpgy $5.75, Lifespan of a Fact $4.1, Doll's House 2 $3.6, Slave Play $3.9.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 12:04pm

Well the set looks very expensive and I've heard nothing but raves from the few people I know that have seen this. Interesting about the opening night, I'm seeing this next week. Really looking forward to it. But, March? I don't think so.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 12:54pm

Where have you seen the sets? Love to hear more about the physical production. Surprised this is on the level of Lehman Trilogy, budget wise.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 1:05pm

My friend took a photo the night of the first preview:

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 1:30pm

Nothing in your photo screams "expensive," Sutton...that looks like a modest single set, unless there is much more that you haven't shown us here.

My guess is a good deal of money was put into developing the play over the years –– maybe a million dollars –– and that is folded into the Broadway capitalization.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 1:46pm

???

Was merely questioning your bold statement that "the set looks very expensive." Projections are a hell of a lot cheaper than big physical set pieces, as you and I both know. But we don't need to split hairs: it doesn't really matter where the money went, it's the fact that $5.1M is being spent on ANY new from untested entities (Bway debut playwright, director, lead producer).

Much of this speculation could be cleared up if the League released grosses, but that's not the world we're in. So we speculate.

Thanks for the pic.

Would love to hear from anyone who actually saw the play in question.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 1:48pm

Thanks for the pic.

You're welcome. 

[troynow]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 2:07pm

I saw this show on Friday, the first preview. 

The show begins with the men coming out and I have to say, the applause was amazing. The applause lasted for almost 3 minutes. 


The show itself, is really moving, and funny. I was surprised, the title is heavy but the story is so soft and magical. I will also say that Luke James SINGS in this show. 

The curtain call speech was BEYOND! I finally had a chance to see this playwright Keenan Scott II he was beautiful. 

I bought another ticket for my two friends. 

i suspect that many of us on here are not seeing the show until the reviews, which makes our boards quiet. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 2:09pm

My friend told me he sings BEAUTIFULLY too. So glad you enjoyed the show! 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 2:21pm

Troy now, thanks for the review, and Sutton for the pic. Can you speak more to the physical production? Just wondering how it could all cost so much and why anyone would invest that much money into not only a new play but a new play post-Covid. I mean, hats off to them. Happy to have the new shows.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 2:32pm

this show is drowning and desperately needs homerun reviews to get the wheels spinning

[troynow]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 2:40pm

Wow. I would love to know exactly what gives you that impression. The line was out the door. 

 

[troynow]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 2:42pm

Wow! i would love to know what gives you that impression. The line was out the door. 

[Theater3232]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 3:18pm

The number of bodies in seats does not show how much, if any, they paid for those seats. I wish them well, like I do all shows, but many people are not ready to come back until the pandemic is over.

Updated On: 10/4/21 at 03:18 PM

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 4:05pm

i mean look at the sales charts for the next few weeks, its pretty telling 

[thecometbringsnofear]

Posted: 10/4/21 at 5:53pm

I saw the show Saturday night and thought it was great. It was emotional, funny, and left me thinking, which is something I love from a good play. The set design is mostly lights and projections, with very few physical set pieces. The cast was all great, and like others have said, getting to hear Luke James sing is an absolute delight. I really wish this show well, and I hope that they can keep spreading the word and that the reviews help them. It is a piece that addresses important issues in a really nuanced way.