Keenan Scott II (center) taking a bow after stepping into ‘Thoughts of a Colored Man.’ (Photo: Tricia Baron)
Last night at Broadway’s new hit play, Thoughts of a Colored Man, playwright Keenan Scott II made the exceedingly rare move of going on in one of the roles, after a cast member tested positive for COVID-19 and two non-COVID related illnesses felled the cast. With the three actors out, and only two trained understudies standing by to go on, Scott asked producer Brian Moreland if he could step into the role of “Wisdom” with less than 15 minutes until curtain – not wanting the audience to be without a performance. Scott performed the role script-in-hand. He is expected to continue playing the role at least through the holiday weekend.
Producer Moreland said, “It was a thrilling night for a Broadway audience to experience our play. Keenan Scott II is a bold new voice for now, and last night he exhibited the power and resilience of everyone who makes up the Broadway community.”
When Thoughts of a Colored Man opened on Oct. 13, 2021, it made history as the first Broadway show to be written, directed by, starring and lead produced by Black men.
The Thoughts of a Colored Man ensemble cast currently features Emmy Award winner Dyllón Burnside, Bryan Terrell Clark, Da’Vinchi, Grammy Award® nominee Luke James, Tony Award nominee Forrest McClendon, Grammy Award nominee Tristan Mack Wilds and Esau Pritchett.
Thoughts of a Colored Man will continue its regularly scheduled performances through the holiday season.
