By Thomas G. Robinson
When this play was first performed by Ntozake Shange, the author, it was in a women’s bar in California in 1974. Since then it has gone on to win awards on Broadway, turned into a feature film by noted director Tyler Perry and now, its highest honor (I’m sure!) presented on stage in Bakersfield at Bakersfield Community Theatre, California’s Oldest Continuous Theatre (Est. 1927 and celebrating its 85th season this year) on Friday, February 10th.
The play is directed by Thomas G. Robinson (yours truly) and produced by Tomeka Powell. It tells the tale of seven Black women who describe their achievements, tragedies, loves and losses in poetry, song and dance (dubbed ‘choreopoems’ by the author). Although this is not a musical, it has music within the storytelling that lends itself to choreography and song.
Former Bakersfieldian and dance studio owner, LaQuette Milner, provided the choreography for this production, which had her commuting from Los Angeles (her current home) to Bakersfield once or twice a week to create dance moves and grooves for the actresses, some of whom had never been on a stage before.
Just in time for Black History Month, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When The Rainbow Is Enuf will draw you in with the tales of love, hate, rape, death and abusive relationships – all to powerful words and phrases that engulf you and push you to tears. In a stunning portrayal of women dealing with major life-changing issues, ‘For Colored Girls‘ introduces theatre goers to new talents and veterans as well.
Notable performances abound, one should take note of the emotion brought forth by Sheila Robinson-Owens as the Lady in Red, Detrice Palmer as The Lady in Brown and the always amazing performance by Bakersfield staple Althea Williams as The Lady in Green (most recently seen in Doubt: A Parable, directed by Roger Mathey at Bakersfield Community Theatre, where she practically stole the show as Mrs. Miller). You can see incredible performances by BenEece Davis as The Lady in Yellow, Kiah Brown as The Lady in Purple, Venessa Duncan as The Lady in Blue and a stirring performance by Vina Jefferson as The Lady in Orange.
With preview performances around town (which included CSUB’s Black History Month Kick-Off on February 1st), For Colored Girls has already had very good buzz from those who witnessed the opening scene performance featuring the heated vocal performance of the opening title by Detrice Palmer. With Black History Month in full swing this year, and For Colored Girls being the only show offered by local community theatre in honor of the celebration, make time – take time – to attend this stirring, emotional roller coaster of a show!
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When The Rainbow Is Enuf opens Friday, Feb. 10th and runs through Saturday, Feb. 25th with two Sunday matinees (12, 19 at 2PM) and one Thursday evening performance (23rd at 8PM) dubbed “Performer’s Night” (for those who perform in other plays at other theatres around town and can’t make the typical Fri thru Sun performances due to their own shows).
Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for Senior Citizens, Students and Military persons. Tickets are available at the box-office at 2400 So. Chester Avenue or Russo’s Books at The Marketplace (all major credit cards accepted). Please call the theatre at 661.831.8114 for information, directions and other program information.
