By Tonya Whitaker
NDG Staff Writer
Black theatre has seen its share of productions that speak to the heart of the black experience. Thomas Meloncon’s social commentary play, The Diary of Black Men, is no different. It is slated to come to the Majestic Theatre stage at 8 p.m. July 22 at 8 p.m. and 4 and 8 p.m. on July 23. The theatre is located at 1925 Elm St. in Dallas.
The Diary of Black Men, described as a choreopoem, is touted as one of the most successful stage plays in black theatre history. For more than a quarter century, the Houstonian’s play has wowed audience in the United States and in the United Kingdom. Although the play addresses buzz topics relevant to the black male during its originally penning in the last 1970s, latest rendition of the play addresses the same group of topics: love, trust and black family values.
The play, directed by Russell Andrews, centers on the relationships between black men and women through the eyes of six male stereotypes: the player, a blue collar worker, a militant, an urban professional and intellect, a black Muslim and a pimp. The subtitle of the play, “How Do You Love a Black Woman?,” adds to the inquisitiveness of the play. While there are no female speaking parts in the play, the black female in the play is telling of the black male-black female dynamic.
The cast includes Clifton Powell (Next Friday and Friday After Next), Hosea L. Simmons (Workshop), Huntsville native Russell Andrews, Larry Gilliard Jr. (The Wire) and Carl Anthony Payne (Cosby Show and Martin). Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
