With music and lyrics from Micki Grant, Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope (1971) is a celebration of African-American culture and community. Originally conceived and directed by Vinnette Carroll, this radical work presents the issues of race politics in America and raises voices for change through a lively mix of song and dance with a score that includes gospel, jazz, soul, calypso, and rock.
The show premiered at the Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., before moving to Philadelphia and ultimately New York City where it ran for over 1,000 performances on Broadway, earning four Tony Award nominations including Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical. The show won an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Score from an Original Cast Show Album.
Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope is part of the 2018 Encores! Off-Center season which includes Songs for a New World and Gone Missing.
1972 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
1976 | Boston |
Boston Production Boston |
1976 |
San Francisco Production |
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1976 | US Tour |
National Tour US Tour |
2005 | Washington, DC (Regional) |
Reading Washington, DC (Regional) |
2016 | Off-Broadway |
York Theatre Off-Broadway Revival Production Off-Broadway |
2018 | Off-Broadway |
Encores! Off-Center Season Production Off-Broadway |
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