Black When I Was A Boy Part II Blacked out!

blacked out · Ages 14+ · United States of America

Content Warning one person show
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Review by MARGOT AVERY

June 13, 2023 certified reviewer
tagged as: important · harrowing · Brave

What I liked

I’m an urban-raised white woman/actress; to be invited into the experience of a rural-raised black man/actor is a privilege even as it is harrowing. We were acting students at around the same time in very different places — so many of the feelings/experiences are similar and SO many are quite different. Theatre should take you places you’ve never been and cannot go as yourself. This certainly did that for me.

What I didn't like

Late in the show we are treated to a glimpse of Frankie’s head-shot. I’d have liked a longer look. And perhaps an earlier one.

My overall impression

Brave, important, personal and specific. I’m in awe of Cooper Bates, the writer/performer of this work.

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