THE HANGOVER REPORT – On Broadway, Keenan Scott II’s THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN struggles to attain the catharsis hoped for

Da’Vinchi and Dyllón Burnside in Keenan Scott II’s “Thoughts of a Colored Man” at the John Golden Theatre (Photo by Julieta Cervantes).

Last night, Thoughts of a Colored Man by newcomer Kennan Scott II arrived on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre (opening night was actually originally supposed to be on October 31 but was interestingly bumped up to October 13). Through a series of poetry-laced soliloquies – delivered individually and interlinked with others – as well as a few conventional dramatic scenes, the loosely-plotted play attempts to depict the internal lives of a cross section of Black men in America (e.g., among the handful of characters brought to life are a retail worker, a successful gay man, a barbershop owner, among others).

Like Douglas Lyons’s Chicken & Biscuits, which opened just a few days ago, Mr. Scott’s new drama is part of the parade of plays by Black playwrights scheduled to open on Broadway this season. As much as I was prepared to adore the work, Thoughts of a Colored Man alas struggles to deliver the kind of illumination and catharsis promised by its premise. Indeed, the piece is tentatively written, only skimming the surface with its generic characterizations and failing to engage the audience in any meaningful or thought-provoking way as it pertains the Black male experience. Perhaps the most successful aspect of the show is its smattering of potent original songs by Te’La and Brother Kamau (most of them gorgeously sung by Luke James) – I just wish there were more of them.

Director Steve H. Broadnax III’s production lacks specificity, and as a result, registers like a staged reading, which doesn’t do the awkwardly-structured play any favors. Although not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, the barebones staging (the austere set is by Robert Brill) comes across less as stylishly minimalist and more as simply bland. Despite my misgivings about the play and its staging, the cast valiantly give thoughtfully considered, well rounded performances that counteract some of the flaws and – nevertheless – bravely give voice to a demographic that’s been maligned and underrepresented for far too long.

SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED

THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN
Broadway, Play
John Golden Theater
1 hour, 40 minutes (without an intermission)
Booking to March 20

Categories: Broadway, Theater

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