Syracuse Stage’s production of ‘Thoughts of a Colored Man. (Photo provided by DKCO&M)
New play lovers, rejoice! When Broadway safely reopens, Thoughts of a Colored Man by Keenan Scott II will play at the Golden Theatre. Passersby have already noted the new marquee on 45th Street, a sign of hope during these times as so many works have closed amid COVID.
Casting and dates will be announced later, but here is what we do know: the play marks the Broadway debuts of the writer (Scott II) and director (Steve H. Broadnax III). Brian Moreland is a producer on the show, which takes place over the course of a single day in Brooklyn.
The play excavates the hopes, sorrows, fears, and joys of seven men throughout their community’s barbershops and basketball courts. Vulnerable and vibrant, raw and alive, Thoughts of a Colored Man weaves spoken word, slam poetry and rhythm into a mosaic of the inner lives of Black men.
The creative team for Thoughts of a Colored Man includes music by Te’La and Brother Kamau, set design by Robert Brill, costume design by Toni-Leslie James and Devario D. Simmons, lighting design by Ryan O’Gara, projection design by Sven Ortel, and sound design by Mikaal Sulaiman.
Broadnax III most recently directed The Hot Wing King at Signature Theatre, and Scott II’s play had its world premiere at Syracuse Stage in the fall of 2019 before going on to play at Baltimore Center Stage later that year. Governor Cuomo continues to test the safety of live gatherings via pop-up events, so the success of those may very much impact when audiences can expect to enjoy this monumental new piece.
