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In Ntozake Shange's powerful mid-'70s "choreo-poem," a group of African-Americans dramatizes the struggles and journey toward self respect experienced by black women in America.
The play comes across, unfortunately, as an antiquated time machine that's at odds with the current conversation. Being a glimpse into a specific, different era would be OK - plenty of revivals fit that bill - but 'for colored girls' seems awfully intent on speaking forcefully to the present moment. A strong connection to today, however, is nowhere to be found.
The best moments in this production, which features the performers Amara Granderson, Tendayi Kuumba, Kenita R. Miller, Okwui Okpokwasili, Stacey Sargeant, Alexandria Wailes and D Woods, are those when the words face forward, the speaker tells truths, and the lyrical beauty of the piece is allowed to soar, without apology. Pain and all. That said, there are many rich and vibrant moments. It's great to see this spectacular American piece of writing now reaching a new generation of Broadway theatergoers. Shange, who could and perhaps should have been poet laureate, deserves every last piece of applause.
| 1976 | Off-Broadway |
Original Off-Broadway Production Off-Broadway |
| 1976 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
| 1976 | Broadway |
Broadway Transfer Broadway |
| 1979 | West End |
London Production West End |
| 1980 | Regional (US) |
Regional Revival Regional (US) |
| 2000 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
| 2000 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
| 2019 | Off-Broadway |
Public Theater Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
| 2022 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Production Broadway |
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