Rosalee Pritchett and The Perry's Mission NYC Reviews and Tickets

75%

(16 Reviews)

Positive

88%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Thought-provoking, Intense, Absorbing, Relevant, Edgy

About the Show

As part of its 50th anniversary season, the Negro Ensemble Company revives these two one-act plays exploring themes of black struggle. These works were originally produced by the company in 1971.

The plays date from a year when the Vietnam War was raging, and Black Power politics were mobilizing disparate counterculture activists. ‘Rosalee Pritchett’ is a devastating indictment of the black bourgeoisie. It centers around the members of an upper-class black wives' bridge club, one of whom is raped by lower-class white National Guard troops. In ‘The Perry's Mission,’ a black male militant challenges various people in a bar about their black identities with violent results.

Member Reviews (16)

First play (rp) is awful, second play (pm) is very interesting

See it if you can make it through the first play which is very sloppy. The second play is great. I gave the first play a 15 and the second play 70

Don't see it if you want to see something new. Both plays were written over 45 years ago. Read more

Dated, Cliched, Thought-provoking, Intense, Disappointing

See it if you are interested in the history of Black Theater of the 1970's and mind set of its playwrights.

Don't see it if if the "N" word offends you. Read more

Critic Reviews (3)

"Prescient, ingenious, and wonderfully realized...Both plays are exceptionally well directed by Allie Woods. Ms. Woods’ accomplished staging provides expert pacing and renders these works’ dark humor, social commentary and stark conclusions with flair...This exemplary production brings attention to these neglected playwrights, and is a welcome opportunity to experience their unsettling power."
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“A powerful and thought-provoking evening of intelligent, political theater…Though humorous, campy at times, and heart-wrenching, these performances beautifully turn reality on its head and inspire a call to action...‘Rosalee Pritchett’ and ‘The Perry’s Mission’ are especially fascinating to watch back-to-back...These beautifully crafted plays, about the ways people view race, women, and African-American culture as a whole, have messages that stick long after the curtain falls.”
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“I wanted to love ‘Rosalee Pritchett,' the costumes were fabulous, the acting by the entire ensemble was above par, and the writing was thought-provoking. But I kept getting taken out of the moment by technical issues...‘The Perry’s Mission’ has all the elements in place…With a fine-tuned ear for dialogue, a nuanced understanding of the issues driving his characters, solid plotting and the well-timed use of humor to cut the tension, Young has created a crackling piece of theater.”
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