Though it's set primarily in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, Thoughts of a Colored Man spans generations and income brackets. But these seven men aren't the mere icons suggested by their names (which, small spoiler alert, aren't mentioned until the very end), but human beings who gain dimensions as the play progresses. There are seven characters, all of them given names that roughly correspond to their personalities: Love (Dyllón Burnside), Happiness (Bryan Terrell Clark), Wisdom (Esau Pritchett), Lust (Da'Vinchi), Passion (Luke James), Depression (Forrest McClendon), and Anger (Tristan Mack Wilds). Scott takes a kaleidoscopic approach in examining a broad range of Black, specifically male, lives. Its recent arrival in New York, however, only makes the triumph of this remarkable show all the sweeter. Even the recently opened Chicken and Biscuits had a run at New York's Queens Theatre in early 2020 before hitting Broadway. That makes Keenan Scott II's new play somewhat unique among the slew of shows about the Black experience populating the Broadway landscape as it gradually reopens.
Thoughts of a Colored Man, however, has only a 2019 world premiere at Syracuse Stage and a subsequent run at Baltimore Center Stage to its credit before its leap to the Golden Theatre in New York City. Student attendees were: Josh Aguirre-Leon, Eden Bishop, Kristian Caraballo, Johari Fields, Lowkwong Filmore, Tijani George, Bashir Juwara, Ja’nay Orr, Esteban Trinidad, James Trust, and Zakee Suluki.Both Slave Play and Pass Over came to Broadway after highly acclaimed off-Broadway runs. The trip was one of multiple student engagement opportunities organized by the Office of Student Leadership & Campus Life during the Fall 1 semester. Students should be on the lookout for other cultural engagements to come. Kristian Caraballo said, “it is important for a show like this to have a residency on Broadway,” so all young people can see examples of Men of Color they can look up to. Ja’nay felt that the experiences of the men in the play can easily resonate with women as well. Zakee Suluki relayed in detail how he saw his experience as a Black man living in New York City, his ambitions and dreams, portrayed in the play. It brought to light and life the complexities of emotions and depth of personalities that are often omitted in other portrayals of Men of Color.ĭuring the discussion, students brought us topics like the multiple dimensions of masculinity, institutional racism, male role models of Men of Color, the stigma of being a Person of Color, and the portrayal of stifled or lost potential of Men of Color in the play. Allen said, “there is not a Man of Color who has come across my personal life that I did not see in each of these particular characters.” The play resonated with everyone who attended. All participants saw parts of their own lives reflected in the characters’ experiences. The conversation about the play was very impactful. During a group discussion after the event, the attendees shared their thoughts and impressions about the theatrical experience. The critically acclaimed play reveals the experiences, hopes, and dreams of seven men. Marcus Allen, Director of Student Leadership & Campus Life Nestor Melendez, and Student LEADS Support Specialist Maryanne Sackarnoski, had a chance to attend Thoughts of a Colored Man on Broadway. On November 6, President Johnson and students from the United Men of Color (UMOC) and Women of G.R.I.T groups, accompanied by Professor of Political Science Dr.
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