Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope
'Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope' illuminates the African-American experience through gospel, jazz, funk, soul, calypso, and soft rock.
... Read moreThe first Broadway musical written entirely by a woman, this Tony-nominated revue featured songs and choreography on topics such as tenements, student protests, black power, and feminism. The show earned creator Micki Grant a Grammy Award for Best Score—the first female to be so honored.
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- 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Already closed
- York Theatre at St Peter's Church (Midtown E)
Cast & Creatives (11)
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Reviews (12)
5 Critics' Reviews
"This show is a treat to theatergoers who love the history of Broadway theatre. The show, though slightly dated, has a score that completely holds up. With its mixture of gospel, jazz, funk, soul, calypso, and soft rock that burrows into your soul...Well directed by Leslie Dockery, the cast brings back the frustration of the time." Full Review
"The smartly mounted show recalls a time when an all-black cast performed in the context of the battle for civil rights being waged at the time...An excellent eight-member cast performing in concert style demonstrates why the numbers resonated at the time as well as continue to resonate." Full Review
"The revue features a plethora of musical styles, with little spoken dialogue, that includes gospel, soft rock, blues, jazz and calypso. Its message and agenda is still loud and clear addressing the history and socio-politics of the great divide between blacks and whites in this country. Songs like 'I Gotta Keep Movin’ and 'Ghetto Life' are filled with lyrics that tell a story that may sound like you’ve heard this one before, but soon realize the story is vital, real and today." Full Review
"There is pain, strength, determination, struggle, compassion, and joy woven into their journey and it’s impossible to not be hooked by it. Without bludgeoning audiences with life lessons on the golden rule, you’ll leave changed for the better...Some of the references in this revue are dated, but the essence of other songs reverberate loudly...Grant’s tuner proves that there’s plenty of room left at the entertainment table for talented diversity and varied life experiences." Full Review
"When 'preacher' Doug Eskew launches into 'I Gotta Keep Movin'' at the start of 'Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope,' you know you’re in for an evening of foot-stompin’, hand-clapping entertainment. But not always. Some of the numbers are quieter and thoughtful and help illustrate the African-American experience in a way that’s often moving and never angry…Under the direction of Leslie Dockery, a handsome company of eight singer-dancer-actors more than fills the bill." Full Review
7 Members' Reviews
See it if you're ok with a staged-reading or concert performance. Nice revisit, w/Micki Grant from the original 1970s production in the audience.
Don't see it if you need a full production, not a staged performance. We expected this to be more relevant, although the lyrics and music still resonate.
See it if you're interested in a lively piece of classic black/African-American theater. Still relevant, still enjoyable.
Don't see it if you don't want to be confronted by a community that might differ from yours…or are they? You might be more alike than you realize.
See it if a musical review from the 70s of the African American experience. Wonderful lyrics and great performances. Very entertaining
Don't see it if you want the full costume / broadway like experience. They perform with scripts in hand but in never gets in the way of a great evening.
See it if you are a human being! This show is full of beautiful performances and non stop insight. The music is inspiring, relevant and uplifting.
Don't see it if you have to have spoken words in a musical. Oh no, wait a minute - it has that too!
See it if you've never seen the show, a wonderful revue--clever, tuneful, insightful--performed beautifully. The material is still, sadly, relevant.
Don't see it if you need a plot. This is a string of songs about character and situation. Still, it would be hard not to be swept away by the cast.
See it if an original African-American revue of the 70s appeals to you. Nice Music. Great voices. Devin Roberts is an up-and-coming triple threat
Don't see it if not a play. A collection of songs by Micki Grant. Devin Roberts graduated from the Cabin in the Sky ensemble to a breakthrough performance
See it if You want to see raw talent
Don't see it if You cannot flow with the rollercoaster emotions