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.Keenan Scott II is the playwright of the Broadway play "Thoughts of a Colored Man," but Tuesday night he took the place of an actor who, just minutes earlier, received a positive COVID-19 test result. Get breaking news alerts in the free FOX5NY News app! | Sign up for FOX 5 email newsletters "We talked to stage management, to producers, and then we decided for me to go on, so the show could go on," Scott said. It’s not that "Thoughts of a Colored Man" doesn’t have understudies it has two. However, two actors were already out with non- COVID-related illnesses. Playwrights typically write- they don’t have their shows lines or staging memorized. "So I was on stage, script in hand, and that was the decision. That was the only way we were able to do it.īut that, in Scott’s mind, far better than the alternative- a cancellation. "It’s more important for the audience to get a show. These are people that traveled to see us, some from all over the Tri-State, some from across the country to see us, purchasing these tickets, and I want to honor that."Īs for how it felt, the still-beaming Scott says he’s only just now able to put his Broadway acting debut in perspective. "Last night I didn’t even have enough time to think about what was going on. This show is for us by us … and I’m hoping that everyone comes and support us," said cast member Luke James."I think it’s a beautiful thing that two-thirds of shows are still going on."Īnd he says if you’re holding a ticket to a canceled show… So today it’s definitely an adrenaline rush for me."Īnd Scott says we shouldn’t be deterred by the fact that one-third of Broadway shows have canceled shows in recent days. Over 61% of all roles on New York City stages went to white actors, a rate double the population of white people in New York City, the Associated Press reported. The show producers say it's the beginning of a "new Broadway," one that's more inclusive and attracts a much wider, more diverse audience.Īccording to the annual study, “The Visibility Report: Racial Representation on NYC Stages,” nearly 80% of Broadway and off-Broadway shows’ writers were white, as were 85.5% of directors during the 2017-18 season. But Moreland said Keenan Scott II’s play was something he instantly felt belonged on Broadway since the beginning.įor Wiley, she said the play represents the stories of so many people that she knows, which is an important step in the right direction for Broadway. Then Broadway closed due to the coronavirus pandemic and only reopened in September. The play made its world premiere in 2019 at Syracuse Stage and also was produced at Baltimore Center Stage. New York City mayor wraps up Latin America trip by calling for ‘right to work' for migrants in US It’s not just what you’ve seen in the media we have so many different thoughts so many different mindsets and you get to see a lot of that play out in this show," Burress said. "I felt like it was important for people to see black men in a different light. The two have switched roles from being in front of the camera to go behind the scene as producers of the show, which they say presented an opportunity they couldn't pass up. Kandi Burress from the "Real Housewives" franchise and Samira Wiley from the "Handmaid’s Tale" were among those on the red carpet at Shubert theater. NBCLX contributor Michelle Park and producer Mackenzie Behm take a closer look at how Broadway’s reopening is shining a light in a dark time for the theater community and audiences alike. They included Nik Walker, of “Hamilton” and “Ain’t Too Proud,” and Bonita Hamilton, a 17-year-veteran of “The Lion King.” Now Broadway is back. When the pandemic turned the lights off on Broadway, the casts and crews of its shows suddenly found themselves out of work and with their dreams on hold.
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