Three Bone Theatre's "Thoughts of a Colored Man"
Three Bone Theatre's "Thoughts of a Colored Man"
Love, Lust, Anger, Depression, Passion, Happiness, and Wisdom star in a must-see exploration of the minds and lives of seven Black men living in an ever-changing and gentrifying Brooklyn.
Editor’s Note: This review is the first of two pieces by Y’all Weekly contributors on “Thoughts of a Colored Man,” the newest production from Three Bone Theatre. Unfortunately, this must-see production is currently sold out.
Like the play, Patrice N. Wilson’s review is explicit and visceral.
“Thoughts of a Colored Man” is an explicit and multilayered exploration of the evolution of identity and the humanity of 7 Black men in a mere 24 hours.
Note: if you are offended by explicit language, the use of the N-word, the rawness that comes with expressing authentically, the breaking of the fourth wall, or having your biases challenged, this production is not for you.
The characters Love (Daylen Jones), Lust (Dionte Darko), Anger (Devin Clark), Depression (Marvin King), Passion (Jonovan Adams), Happiness (Nehemiah Lawson), and Wisdom (Graham Williams) are captivating, real, and relatable from the beginning until the end. These men could easily be your close friends or family members.
“Thoughts of a Colored Man,” written by Kenan Scott II and directed by the legendary Sidney Horton, is a powerful, rare work that gives audiences an intimate look into a day in the minds and lives of seven Black men living in an ever-changing and gentrifying Brooklyn. Director Sidney Horton skillfully utilizes space and movement to create a uniquely immersive experience that complements the intimacy of Three Bone Theatre’s space at the Arts Factory in West Charlotte.
Three Bone is known for their powerful and transformative productions, and “ Thoughts” is just as expected: bold, brave, and brilliant. Audiences get a up close and personal view of these Black men of diverse ages, classes, and cultural upbringings. Their lives collide, connect, and intertwine at a local barbershop that signifies a place of refuge, sheltering them from the dangers of just being in the outside world.
“Thoughts” confronts the past, present and future, using them as catalysts for change by delving into the complexity of the experience of just being a human who happens to have colored skin. There is a Jay-Z song, “The Story of OJ”, which in title and lyric offers a layered and complex perspective of a Black man’s plight as does “Thoughts of a Colored Man.”
The chorus plays,
“My skin is black, my skin is yellow — light nigga, dark nigga, faux nigga, real nigga, rich nigga, poor nigga, house nigga, field nigga, still nigga. Still nigga.
OJ like, ‘I’m not Black, I’m OJ!’ … Okay.”
These explicit lyrics elicit a visceral response and simultaneously shed light on a history of systemic inequity that many Americans wish to forget. “Thoughts” too elicits a visceral response as it is also rooted in the historical context and evolution of identity and - the oft questioned - humanity of the Black man. This piece sheds light on the ramifications of that past time in present day; before you see the man, you will see the color of his skin.
“Thoughts of a Colored Man” illuminates the complexity and diversity of the experience of Black manhood. This think-piece unabashedly explores mental health, intergenerational trauma, sexuality, social norms, brotherhood, fatherhood, place, and belonging. This production is for diverse audiences that are open to expand their minds towards a deeper understanding of themselves and those around them.
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