This drama offers a bold and prescient exploration of love within the world of Black creative artists in the waning years of the Black Arts Movement in San Francisco. More…
From the show:
A love story about the challenge of commitment and trust; about violence (relational, intimate, verbal, physical), cast, class, desire, and the making of art. In the interplay of a dancer/poet and a photographer – two arts forms, two wounded/brilliant people – a drama of intrigue, lovers in motion. in their orbit are three characters (all of whom are afflicted with the kind of insecurities and delusions only available to those who learned of themselves through the trauma of racism) they struggle to communicate, to create their own image, to create their world when the country as a whole, its history, its daily pulsation are contested and disfigured. The struggle becomes a kind of combat breathing, leaving little more than moments of fury and homicidal desire; yet, they struggle to love. A memory play.
See it if you want to see Ntozake Shange's work adapted and directed by her sister with nice music compositions and interesting choreography.
Don't see it if you do not like conflict and a central character who uses people to no end. An extremely long first act at almost 2 hours is difficult.
See it if You want to see top rate acting
Don't see it if If you are patient because it’s slow!
See it if you enjoy great poetry, great writing and great choreography and are willing to suspend your evaluation of the subject
Don't see it if you think a show embracing misogyny and abuse, especially by a great writer, has any place on stage in 2020.
Also I had to remind myself that if this play had been written by a young w... Read more Read less
See it if You love the writings of Ntozake Shange with her poetic phrasing and floral dialogue. Actors did a great job with the material given.
Don't see it if Direction and staging plays is an integral part of your personal enjoyment. This play was way too long and needs editing.
Also I have always been a admirer of the late Ntozake Shange writings, howe... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see a 1977 period piece with occasional powerful interludes of prose; don't cringe at some outdated female 'archetypes,"
Don't see it if you expect that this revised, refocused version of a 40 year old play to be an improvement over the original
Also Many technical glitches marred the show last night & made the evening ... Read more Read less
See it if you like poetic language performed by a strong cast
Don't see it if you don’t like quasi-stereotype characters or misogynistic men
See it if You like overacting, unnecessary dancing and movement, simple story line made to be confusing
Don't see it if You do not like overacting, unnecessary dancing and movement, simple story line made to be confusing
See it if You're a fan of Ntozake Shange, whose works can be profane but difficult
Don't see it if You're not ready to think a little during the performance
See it if You have nothing else to do. They made you stand and wait for 15 minutes after the scheduled show time before allowing you in to be seated.
Don't see it if Value your time
See it if Great acting. The actors were energetic and passionate with lyrical words.
Don't see it if Saw during previews- the lighting was off sometimes. It was way too long and people started to leave.
See it if Set in San Francisco in the 70s, this play offered an opportunity to reminisce of days gone by.
Don't see it if You don't like long plays. Needs additional editing.
See it if You want to see a period piece by Ntozake Shange. Although it does run a bit long, the acting is excellent and Ntozake’s voice rings true.
Don't see it if You don’t want to sit for a very long piece, specifically one with a specific style and rhythm.
See it if you want a creative energetic look at the Black art scene in ‘70’sSF. Ifa Bayeza’s adaptation brings new info to Ntozake’s artistic process
Don't see it if you don’t like small theater that ties everything up in a neat package. The play needs editing, there are loose ends but hey it’s THEATER!