I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings NYC Reviews and Tickets

77%

(6 Ratings)

Positive

83%

Mixed

17%

Negative

Members say

Entertaining, Great acting, Absorbing, Ambitious, Great writing

About the Show

Based on Maya Angelou's iconic autobiography, her story is brought to vivid life onstage.

Upon her return to what remains of the general store she spent her childhood around, Maya Angelou remembers the events that led her to that moment. She shares, in her own words, her journey, her lessons, her hardships, and her perspective on her growth into adulthood.

Award-winning playwright Idris Goodwin ('Hype Man: a break beat play') adapts the autobiography for the stage with direction by Khalia Davis.

Please note: The production includes verbalized child sexual violence, verbalized sexual violence, racism and racist slurs, and violent imagery that may be inappropriate for ages 16 and under.

Show-Score Member Reviews (6)

Absorbing, Riveting, Great writing, Great acting

See it if Maya-beautifully perf by C.Davis-tells the events of her life from ages 3 to16 as she grows up facing abandonment,rape,racism &displacement.

Don't see it if u are not x a solo short memory play; U miss Granma in her store, the only set in the play. A Must See esp. for teens: * Read more

Must see, Great writing, Great acting, Entertaining, Absorbing

See it if You are a fan of Maya Angelou and would enjoy feeling a connection to her through this small glimpse into her life

Don't see it if You don’t like one person performances

Ambitious, Entertaining, Intelligent

See it if A short play about Maya Angelou as a child in the south.

Don't see it if A memory play is not your thing. Short play.

Great acting, Ambitious

See it if well acted one-person show based on the book. draws the audience in to the story

Don't see it if not a fan of one-person shows. states it's for children but really should be marketing for all people

Overrated, Entertaining, Delightful

See it if You like tales of the ole south and its "Jim Crow" effect on Black residents.

Don't see it if You don't like to be reminded of the horrors of segregation and racism.

Thought-provoking, Entertaining

See it if Someone who’s interested in the events set in this era. People over the age of 50.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a comedy. This is serious content

Critic Reviews (2)

"There is also the challenge of faithfully telling a story that encompasses a great deal of pain — along with humor and joy and tender affection — without reducing it to a Black trauma narrative. In both script and staging, this 55-minute show feels foiled by all of that, its characters and incidents too briefly sketched to gather the necessary force and weight."
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"With a script taken directly from Angelou's text (courtesy of Idris Goodwin and Janna Segal), it's certainly not dumbed down or overly sanitized. In fact, it even comes with a content warning, though its triggering content is still relatively tame. Directed by Khalis Davis, 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' is lyrical, powerful, and deeply engaging: a beautiful introduction and/or tribute to Maya Angelou's groundbreaking work."
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Trailer

Creative team