The Slave Play

Commentary on “Slave Play” and The American Theatre by Levy Lee Simon

Commentary on “Slave Play” and The American Theatre by Levy Lee Simon

Since the passing of the great August Wilson, in 2005, I do not know of any Black heterosexual male playwright who has been on Broadway. And, I don’t know of many that have had their plays produced Off-Broadway or in regional theatres across the country either. I’m sure there may be one or two, but I just don’t know who they are. There has been a multitude of Black female playwrights that have met with major success and lately, it’s been the gay and queer Black playwrights that have been getting all of the attention. Jeremy O’Harris is a self proclaimed queer and director Robert O’Hara is gay. And, most of those plays have had white directors. The Black female playwrights are writing good stuff and I applaud them. I feel the same about the gay and queer voices. I just want to know why the Black heterosexual male being shut out?

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