The Play by George C. Wolfe, The Colored Museum

The Colored Museum, a play written by George C. Wolfe, premiered in 1986 under the direction of L. Kenneth Richardson. In a series of 11 “exhibits” (sketches), the review explores and satires prominent themes and identities of African-American culture. This comedy looks at stereotypes with razor sharp wit! Think the comedy duet Key and Peel.

The sketches include:

Git on Board: Miss Pat, a flight attendant, welcomes the audience aboard the fictional “celebrity slaveship,” whose Savannah-bound journey from the Ivory Coast demands that passengers (the audience) are to obey the “Fasten Shackles” sign and are not to rebel. The sketch explores and critiques the history of African Americans, from slavery to the regency of the basketball star.

Cookin’ with Aunt Ethel: Mammy Aunt Ethel hosts a cooking show in which she sings the recipe on how to “bake yourself a batch of Negros.”

The Photo Session: A glamorous black couple wearing “the best of everything and perfect smiles,” retreats from their past/history into a superficial world of narcissistic glamour. The Photo Session is Wolfe’s critique on the images and models of Ebony magazine.

DATES: February 15 thru March 4, 2018
LOCATION: ArtsTech, 1522 Holmes Street, Kansas City, MO 64108
TICKETS: Available January 1, 2018, through performance time

High school and younger student tickets ($10) and Senior tickets ($25) will be available at the door.