You’re totally valid to be concerned about how this play will, uh, play. But you know what? It’s not my money. So I don’t really care. I do think a lot of the heavier subject matter might struggle as people just want upbeat fun theater to take our minds off last year and all that. But I’m curious to see how it all shakes out!
For me, I don't necessarily need it to be fun...though I won't eschew a good time. I need to feel. I have been numb for 15 months at this point. I want to see something new and interesting that will make me feel something on a deeper level again. Now...there are not enough people who think like I do to run a show. But...and I have to reiterate this...we are in uncharted territory. No one knows how this is going to go. But there are people taking chances and, no matter what, that has to be applauded. There are people looking at this through the lens of the old rules. Those rules no longer exist. At least for another year. So...let people lose their money. Let them take the tax deduction. And, for God's sake, let them give us something that might be new and thrilling. Or new and boring. But new is what points us to the future. And we need to have a better vision of the future right now.
I get that. I just don’t really want to be in a theater and being yelled about race. But that’s just me. Some people might want that. I’d rather go see Mamma Mia right now. With a happy hour before.
Some of us have been saying for months that in the early going the prudent course is to produce shows for locals not tourists, shows that, for the most part, are new and stimulating. A huge number of shows that do not fit that description are opening this Fall, and I sadly believe many of them, including some that are household names, will not be here very long. I think that shows that can attract the attention of locals (i.e., shows not pitched to the lowest common denominator, shows that have not long been "tourist fodder," and yes shows that are new and stimulating) have a better chance to survive the bloodbath. We shall see. I am delighted this is coming in.
SouthernCakes said: "I get that. I just don’t really want to be in a theater and being yelled about race. But that’s just me. Some people might want that. I’d rather go see Mamma Mia right now. With a happy hour before. "
The show hasn't even gone into rehearsal and you're thinking you know what it's content is?
I have tickets. I'm trying to make sure to support new work by Black playwrights (and directors and producers). So many shows are going to open this Fall when we really don't know how theater attendance will be--there just isn't really a precedent for this year anywhere. Locals may be beating down the doors to get back in theaters, but it's also possible that people don't have the inclination yet. Or finances have changed for people. Or whatever may be the case. And my fear is that if the proliferation of plays by Black playwrights don't succeed, many producers will say, "Well, we gave you what you said you wanted, and no one came." I just don't know if the answer to theatrical inequity is trying to produce all of these plays in the most uncertain market we've ever had. So...I'll keep trying to do my part and snatch tickets, which I have for this, Pass Over, Thoughts of a Colored Man, and Lackawanna Blues and Skeleton Crew (via subscription). And intend to see Trouble in Mind and can't wait to see Clyde's as I adore Lynn Nottage's work. But...we'll see. It's a wider spread of plays by Black playwrights than we've ever had on Broadway at once, and they range from new writers to double Pulitzer winners. returning classics to brand new works. Light comedy to intense drama and a few works that seem maybe beyond neat categories. We don't know what will happen, but the one piece I'm holding onto is that I'm super excited to have the opportunity to see a whole bunch of new work this season!
In the meantime, I'll just hope that there's an excuse for Norm Lewis to sing in this EVEN JUST A LITTLE BIT.
SouthernCakes said: "Never said I’d seen it? weird how you know it’s a comedy yet it’s not in rehearsal so…."
I'm not sure why there seems to be confusion about whether or not the show is a comedy. The tagline for the show is "A feel-good comedy that will feed your soul." The official website is billing it as "Chicken & Biscuits: The Broadway Comedy."
There's also a summary listed on the website, as well as on the show's Telecharge page:
"The Jenkins family is coming together to celebrate the life of their father—hopefully without killing each other! Eldest daughter, Baneatta, wants everything to be perfect for her father's funeral. "Favorite” daughter, Beverly, would rather honor her daddy dressed to show the entire congregation what she’s been “blessed with." Teenage granddaughter, La’trice, can’t mind her own business if it was on a leash. Not far behind comes grandson Kenny and his very Jewish boyfriend Logan who is maybe, sort of, okay definitely afraid of Baneatta. But Baneatta’s hopes unravel when a family secret shows up at the funeral..."
When three people inform you that this is a comedy, think that Lizzie Curry was agreeing with you (it was the opposite) and another has been kind enough to give you the official synopsis of the play and you still don't get it and blame others instead of saying "my mistake"?
We aren't the ones who are acting messy, angry, and frankly stupid regarding this show.