Ntozake Shange’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf” has changed my life.
The 64-page choreopoem details the metaphysical dilemma of being both colored and a woman as experienced by seven women, each bearing different hues: the lady in red, lady in orange, lady in yellow, lady in green, lady in blue, lady in brown, and lady in purple. These “colored ladies” share their personal tales of abuse, abandonment, abortion, and more set to music and movement.
Shange’s original production debuted on Broadway in 1976, making her the second Black woman in American history to accomplish this feat.
The first, of course, was Lorraine Hansberry with “A Raisin in the Sun.”
When I was a sophomore in college, a then-boyfriend gave me Shange’s book as a gift and I read it in one sitting. I was speechless upon finding pieces of myself, and other women I knew and loved between the pages.
These words, which I later spoke aloud, triggered a metamorphosis within me.
As fate would have it, four years later that boyfriend is gone, but my book is still on the shelf and I am starring on stage this weekend as Nyla, the lady in purple.
I hope you’ll consider seeing me, and the other cast members perform in Antwan Demarco’s theatre production of “For Colored Girls,” which is based upon Tyler Perry’s hit motion picture of the same name.
I asked why he felt the need to bring this play to Indianapolis for the first time in decades, and Demarco responded that Shange’s stories, written in 1974, are still relevant today.
“I think Indianapolis is a great place to bring such awesome cultural productions,” said Demarco, who began his theatrical career in 2001.
“Seeing the success of other African-American productions in Indianapolis, we had to bring it home, to Indy.” He went on to say, “Secondly, the talent cast I have in DP Demarco Plays & Film Company was a huge motivation to doing this production.
I believe the message of ‘For Colored Girls’ will be relevant forever. Women in general have faced issues of domestic violence, rape, discrimination and more for such a long time. I believe these poems and the script as a whole will touch ladies and gentleman alike.”
Demarco added that this live stage production will give audiences a thrill unlike anything they may have experienced before largely due to the unorthodox staging and seating arrangements of the auditorium where the play is taking place.
“The audience will be right there live when everything is happening. Unlike television and movies where you’re viewing it from a device, this production will draw people into each character’s world, into their scene,” said Demarco. “This cast has done an excellent job in the portrayal of their characters.”
Becoming Nyla, a 15 year-old seemingly precocious yet timid dancer, has been a beautiful experience and one that I won’t soon forget. As to how well I have brought this work to life, I invite you to come see for yourself!
“For Colored Girls” opens Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Tilt Theatre on the fourth floor of Circle Centre Mall.
It’s Showtime!
What:
- Demarco Plays Presents: “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf”
Where:
- Tilt Studios (located inside Circle Centre Mall)
When:
- Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
- Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
- Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
For tickets, visit demarcoplays.com.
Behind the Rainbow
Visit Indianapolisrecorder.com/blogs to read poet and Recorder blogger Januarie York’s take on playing Rose
