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 An Actor's
Dream, a Playwright's Nightmare
Characters come alive in Lydia Diamond’s latest play,
Stage
Black. Stage Black is a self-described “dark” comedy. The play
questions the “playwright” (the character not the actual
playwright, that is), should she write the great American play or
try to get “paid?”
The characters are the figment of the “playwright's” imagination
and take over the play in order to add more "drama" (whether
acceptable or abominable) to her play that speaks to the
“people” it is trying to serve, or, speaks to the “people” that could
ultimately make her rich, i.e., the producers. The characters are
familiar, stock characters that you would find in a typical
"couch drama": a catatonic mother, a promiscuous grandfather and
a couch - all of which set up as the writings of the “playwright” unfold
before our eyes.
This is a very ambitious play. Some African-American audiences
assume that one has not “arrived” if one hasn’t made it to the
Tyler Perry status of commercial success. Stage Black
challenges the notions of what is deemed “good theater.” Does
an African-American have to ultimately “sell-out” in order to
make money?
Audience 101: The concept of the play extends beyond the stage
with a broken fourth wall and actors portraying characters
portraying audience members sitting in the house with you.
Whew! How did it feel to be apart of the “audience” as the play
was being performed? Do you feel that “making it” is defined as
“Tyler Perry” status? Do you find his plays more enjoyable?
What is a turn-off for African-American plays that don’t adhere
to the same style as the "Urban Theater plays"? Join The Tofu Chitlin’ Circuit as we discuss these similar themes at our next
A La Carte; The Candied Yams Edition
in February.
Sydney
Founder of
The Tofu
Chitlin' Circuit Theatre Company
SoulLadie@yahoo.com
Stage Black continues through March 1, 2009 at the
Greenhouse Theater Center.
Sydney
Founder of
The Tofu
Chitlin' Circuit Theatre Company
SoulLadie@yahoo.com
True West and
topdog/underdog continues through March 8, 2009.
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