Provocateur Thomas Bradshaw revisits his incendiary 2008 play "Southern Promises" in a new production helmed by The Flea’s Artistic Director, Niegel Smith. More…
On his deathbed, a plantation owner vows to set his slaves free, but when his wife rejects the request chaos erupts on the plantation. Based on slave narratives and featuring an all PoC company of actors, "Southern Promises" is an examination of the deeply disturbing and utterly corrupting power of American slavery and its lasting grip on our country’s hearts and institutions.
See it if Never one for subtly, early Bradshaw slavery drama is raw, transgressive, violent, powerful Well acted by the "Bats", w/Rivera standing out
Don't see it if Despite potent message, it's often heavyhanded & veers into melodrama "N word" & graphic sexual situations used w/abandon but in context
See it if Bradshaw is never subtle about portraying sex on stage but he's been more clever. Behavior of the masters is shocking tho the drama is inert
Don't see it if Simulated sex, whipping, murder, verbal abuse separated by Bob Dylan interludes. The plantation backdrop looms tensely aslant over the stage
See it if you enjoy the audacity of shows at The Flea. Even when I don't like a show, I feel that my horizons have been broadened.
Don't see it if you object to excessive violence on stage and expect well developed characters.
See it if enjoy a well-written play highlighting past issues that still exist today though in a different format. Casted non-traditionally.
Don't see it if need well-rounded characters - many are just characters.
See it if you like Bradshaw's work, his ability to make an audience uncomfortable by creating awkward scenes, and deadpan 'flat' melodramatic dialog.
Don't see it if violence, sex & nudity on stage offends you (sometimes art is all about getting offended, go with the experience!), or expect deeper dialog
See it if you like theatre that makes you think, upsets your view of the world.
Don't see it if you're easily made uncomfortable.
See it if you want to face the truth of living as a white slave owning family and slave family - if we that courage, maybe we can move on together
Don't see it if you can't handle a dramatization of the raw truths of our country's brutality, rape, forced sex by the powerful, injustice, and murder...
See it if http://theaterlife.com/southern-promises-opens-the-flea/
Don't see it if There is no reason not to see Southern Promises
See it if you want to see POC reclaim stories of slavery and the trauma that comes with it
Don't see it if you are easily made uncomfortable by scenes of graphic trauma, such as rape, domestic violence, and murder
See it if you want to confront our country's disturbing history through the lens of an all PoC cast
Don't see it if you are easily provoked by graphic content
See it if You want a bit of a punch in the gut about the state of race in our recent history. It 's a tough show but well worth the pain
Don't see it if You don't want to see how horrid some humans can be when it comes to racial issues
See it if Will leave you pondering your own identity and relationship to America’s original sin. The novel staging with an all POC cast is a must see
Don't see it if Don’t see if you don’t like thought provoking theater. This is not nice theater- it’s meant to make you feel uncomfortable.
See it if If you enjoy lazy storytelling, irresponsible casting, and watching "volunteer" actors do work that seems exploitative.
Don't see it if If you're tired of the same old slavery narrative. If you're tired of theaters using shock to sell tickets.
Also The show is about slavery, big shock. I didn't leave the theater with ... Read more Read less
See it if you'd like to see the revival of an important play about the relations between slave & master in the pre-emancipation US South.
Don't see it if you prefer characters to cartoons.
Also “Southern Promises” (2008) appeared before a spate of new plays dealin... Read more Read less