Following an experienced Black stage actress through rehearsals of a major Broadway production, Alice Childress's wry and moving look at racism, identity, and ego in the world of New York theatre opened to acclaim off-Broadway in 1955. At the forefront of both the Civil Rights and feminist movements, the prescient Trouble in Mind was announced to move to Broadway in 1957...in a production that never came to be.
'Trouble in Mind' is worth seeing, as it speaks directly to current concerns in the theater industry over institutional and unconscious racism, as seen in the depictions of Black characters (which has led to recent revisions in shows such as 'The Book of Mormon' and 'To Kill a Mockingbird') and the handling of disagreements (which has led to the hiring of directors of diversity, equity, and inclusion). 'Trouble in Mind' may have waited 65 years to come to Broadway, but it is remarkably on point and on time.
LaChanze is luminous and fierce in the central role, showing us the dignity and warmth that have sustained Wiletta where others might have simply become embittered. Another musical theater stalwart, Chuck Cooper, has a poignant turn as Sheldon Forrester, the veteran actor cast as Job's father, whose obsequiousness contrasts with Wiletta's rising pique, while Michael Zegen captures Manners's unconscious arrogance to almost chilling effect. Don Stephenson and Danielle Campbell deliver deft comic performances as the white cast members, Bill O'Wray and Judy Sears-respectively, a latently racist character actor and a well-meaning but clueless ingénue-and Jessica Frances Dukes adds more punch as Millie Davis, a Black actress who is older than Judy but younger than Wiletta, and hasn't quite arrived at the latter's level of frustration, yet.
2021 | Broadway |
Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | Chuck Cooper |
2022 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play | Trouble in Mind |
2022 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Awards | LaChanze |
2022 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play | Trouble In Mind |
2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Play | LaChanze |
2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) | Emilio Sosa |
2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | Chuck Cooper |
2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Trouble in Mind |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Play | Emilio Sosa |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play | Chuck Cooper |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play | LaChanze |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Play | Trouble in Mind |
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