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IMPORTANT NOTE: We cannot certify this reviewer attended a performances of this show because no ticket was purchased through this website or the producer has not verified they attended.
What I liked
Strong presence, great writing, beautiful physicality = excellent performance. Combine this with a highly relevant topic and the hook of personal experience, and you get a captivating show that is well worth watching.
What I didn't like
I felt 2/3 to 3/4 of the way through perhaps a couple of minutes could be shaved off and the arc tightened just a bit, though found entire performance wonderful.
My overall impression
Cooper Bates puts on an excellent show: profound, funny, moving, real. Black When I Was a Boy is a coming of age story that invites an honest dialogue around race, identity, and being human in America. Highly original, engaging, and beautiful. Cooper Bates is a national treasure, and to see him perform in a small venue is a blessing. Two thumbs (way) up
