See it if You enjoy shows with strong female characters and heavy themes. Great performances from the whole cast.
Don't see it if Told through a series of monologues, some poetic language. If you have a hard time following you may want to watch the movie beforehand.
See it if You want to be carried away by seven absorbing paths on a journey that at times is joyous while other times heartbreaking. Intriguing.
Don't see it if You want a traditional play with a linear plot. This is more of an emotional journey than a straight forward story. Read more
See it if see Broadway version rating
Don't see it if see Broadway version rating
See it if sexy propulsive dancing by 7 sensational dancers; tells vivid individual stories of black women caged by patriarchal society
Don't see it if stories told via DENSE poetry; individual stories not well integrated; black feminism moved past this show’s focus on black male oppression
See it if you want to see a rhythmic, spirited (albeit intense, at times) revival of a seminal work of female empowerment, told through poetry & dance
Don't see it if u prefer conventional storytelling & plot-based drama; u expect this 1970s work to feel less dated in the #metoo & #blacklivesmatters era.
See it if you’d like to see an adequate production of a mid-1970s theater milestone.
Don't see it if you are expecting that this classic poetic dance-play about race & gender would feel relevant in the age of Black Lives Matter & #MeToo. Read more
See it if Gardiner's fluid staging, Brown's robust choreo & Chang's lighting provide an evocative setting for these "girls" & their gritty journeys
Don't see it if The dramatic in the round staging while potent causes audibility problems Despite Shange's poetics & fine ensemble, writing can go slack
See it if Chunky rainbow pop-beaded assembly of movement-monologue reflecting the black femme experience stemming from putdowns.
Don't see it if Not diminishing the original impact,the revival is lessened by forward social accomplishment.Still, it's poetic buffering of harsh realities
CRITIC’S PICK "Ntozake Shange’s Women Endure: The director Leah C. Gardiner delivers a warm and inspiriting revival of the landmark poetic drama, with a gloriously interdependent cast."
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4/5 Stars "The incantation begins with Ntozake Shange's singular text, first performed at the Public in 1976 and described as a 'choreopoem' by its creator. Shange's ingenious fusion of language, music and movement conjures one soul-stirring revelation after the next."
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"43 Years on, 'for colored girls…' Comes Alive at the Public Again"
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"Choreopoetry in Motion Ntozake Shange’s work about seven young women of color who reflect on their lives and problematic prospects gets a revival at the Public."
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"Ntozake Shange's 'For Colored Girls...' Is Still a Tragic, Joyous, Metaphysical Dilemma: The 40-year-old poetic play returns to its early home at the Public Theater under the direction of Leah C. Gardiner."
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"Ntozake Shange's Groundbreaking 'FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE/WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF' Returns To The Public"
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"The writing is defiant, angry, introspective, amused, sensual -- a passionate cascade of images and ideas from black women who, in 1976, were not typically invited downstage center, and who, in 2019, are still underrepresented."
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5/5 Stars "When 'For Colored Girls' opened at the Public Theater in June 1976, it was shocking, disturbing, disheartening, reassuring, life-giving, and an indisputable theatrical event. After 43 years it remains everything it was then, perhaps even more so."
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