See it if you're interested in life/work of Amiri Baraka, the black poet/playwright. Intelligent debate bet AB & intern, but devolves into shouting.
Don't see it if you get tired of talk on same subj. Or want literary heroes to be role models (he wasn't). Some antisemitism.Some powerful poems. Uses music
See it if you have any interest in Black American culture or postwar American theater or what can happen when a frisky cub engages an aging lion.
Don't see it if you don't think theater has any business engaging in an educational enterprise. Read more
See it if Like dynamic of lion mentoring a cub, knowledgable re black political movements, art, music, & literature in last 60+ years. Intense drama.
Don't see it if Don't like heady, esoteric, somewhat didactic discussion re the role of culture in the arts. Don't want to work hard to understand all refs.
See it if If you are interested in the evolution of Black literature and the social movements of the era. Well written and memorable acting.
Don't see it if If you are no interested in African American history and literature. This is an intense drama.
See it if You are interested in Black history, doecifically in the arts abd you enjoy the perpective of different generations.
Don't see it if You do not like small productions or are not interested in Black history or the Black persoective.
See it if Very clever and ambitious way to talk about race, art, and representation, in both a historic and contemporary perspective.
Don't see it if You don't like fast-paced talky plays. There is so much material crammed in here, I think you need to see it twice to get the references. Read more
See it if You’re interested in black history and black art movement; simple but affective production; informative post show talk
Don't see it if You’re not into the theme; you don’t wanna waste time on post-show talk;
See it if are keenly interested in black theater, music, culture
Don't see it if are not well versed in the works of Amiri Baraka as you may feel lost with many of the specific references to other writers Read more
"Sitting in the audience for 'Looking for Leroy' felt like I was on a bullet train. Looking out the window there was all this amazing scenery flashing by...This is a play chock full of a life examined and lived to the fullest. It is a history lesson in black theater, a portrait of one of this countries great contributors, a realigning of our moral and ethical compasses. What time is it? IT’S 'LOOKING FOR LEROY' TIME!"
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"It is a searing, strident and alarming play about a racial rabble rouser and yet, at the same time, a very deep, warm and rich play about a man looking back on his life and talking about what he did and what he did not do...Director Petronia Paley has done a superb job of taking a tight two men play and working it so that you see a whole nation of trouble and a landscape of characters....'Looking for LeRoy' is an impressive look at a provocative writer and electric speaker."
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"Paley's direction deftly moves the play which is a contest of ideas and perceptions between two highly spirited personalities. Inspired by Baraka’s life-long interest in jazz and its syncopated rhythms, she structures the verbal explosions, riffs, and variations of the arguments...Tyler Fauntleroy, as Taj, matches Sullivan’s Baraka in energy, intelligence, and fervor to 'do the right thing.' However, Kim Sullivan imbues Baraka also with vulnerability underneath his bluster."
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“‘Looking for Leroy’, exploring and celebrating the life of Amiri Baraka, dramatically exceeds expectations in delivering an astonishing level of information that satisfies the human hunger for greater knowledge...High talent is everywhere evident in this play...’Looking for Leroy’ brings to life the expansive challenges and brilliant response to those challenges of Amiri Baraka, our ‘Black Fire’ who never wavered in his pursuit of Ma’at, social justice and Truth.”
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