Image

11:59 AM / Thursday March 28, 2024

5 Aug 2016

“For Colored Girls”—Everything you need and more on stage

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
August 5, 2016 Category: Entertainment Posted by:

By Kendall Alexander

@SteezieKBreezie

“My love is too sanctified to have thrown back on my face/My love is too magic to have thrown back on my face.” 

These are only a couple lines from one of the most profound theatrical displays ever to come to the stage.  If you in all your blackness are not familiar with For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, the revered choreopoem by Ntozake Shange, you need to get hip and right away.  Originally performed in 1974, this was Shange’s first and most profound production describing urban life for a septet of women with varying degrees of disappointments knocking on their respective doors.  They explain their hardships through harrowing poetry and intentional choreography.  For Colored Girls made it OK to lament and not be alright with the way things are, but also saved room for self-love, sisterhood, and rejoicing.  And there is no better time to revitalize the original black girl magic piece than now.

This summer, Penn’s Landing Playhouse put on the performance under the production and direction of radio personality and SUN contributor, Frankie Darcell.  The cast is as follows: Janae Brown (Lady in Brown), Lynette Clement (Lady in Yellow), Ontaria Wilson (Lady in Red), Elisha Peterson (Lady in Orange), Ebony Williams (Lady in Blue), Adrienne Allen (Lady in Green), and Mellitta McKethan (Lady in Purple).

I spoke with Lynette Clement and Janae Brown after the show and they gave me some insight on how they prepared for their respective roles, what it was like working on the modernized classic, and what the audience should take away from the production.

Speaking with Ms. Clement, she revealed to me this was her first stage play which is hard to imagine because of her polished performnce.  I wasn’t told beforehand I definitely would not have known, her performance was stellar and alongside the other characters, the charisma was infectious.  Both Clement and Brown watched Tyler Perry’s film version to place themselves into character.  Director Frankie Darcell “stretched and challenged us to push beyond what we actually thought was actually in ourselves, so it was an awesome experience.” Clement said with Brown echoing that “she’s all about sisterhood and support and that helped us bond.”  They want the audience to remember that although this play is about Black women, it’s universal, everyone can relate.

It would be amazing for this production to continue running, as there are still so many women who can benefit from watching a relatable storyline.  For Colored Girls was raw, gut wrenching, funny and sensual, in essence black womanhood personified.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Leave a Comment

Recent News

Philly NAACP

March 24, 2024

March 17, 2024

Tweet Email Tweet Email Related Posts Philadelphia Judicial Primary Candidates At A Glance Guide Philadelphia Judicial Candidates...

Commentary

cj speaks…The call to order

March 23, 2024

Tweet Email Philadelphia’s recent travesties continue to be highlighted in the news: the ongoing shooting incidents, train...

Health

Combatting loneliness in older adults

March 17, 2024

Tweet Email FAMILY FEATURES The bonds found in friendships and other relationships are an important factor in...

Home and Garden

So, You want to build a retaining wall: 6 things to know before you start

March 3, 2024

Tweet Email BPT When you want to enhance your outdoor living space, consider building with retaining wall...

Fur Babies Rule!

Dog grooming advice to keep pets clean and healthy

March 2, 2024

Tweet Email FAMILY FEATURESRegular grooming can keep your dog looking and smelling his or her best, but...

Seniors

‘Soaring’ over hills or ‘playing’ with puppies, study finds seniors enjoy virtual reality

February 23, 2024

Tweet Email By Terry Spencerassociated press POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — Retired Army Col. Farrell Patrick taught computer...

The Philadelphia Sunday Sun Staff