Which is why Broadway Black has no choice but to share the release of Contemporary Plays by African American Women: Ten Complete Works by Sandra Adell. If there is one voice that’s been undervalued on stage, it’s that of the Black woman. That’s what makes this anthology so great. It’s a combined work that includes prominent Black female playwrights and some up-and-coming writers.

It features works from contemporary Black female playwrights including Blue Door by Tanya Barfield; Levee James  by S. M. Shephard-Massat; Hoodoo Love  by Katori Hall; Carnaval  by Nikkole Salter; Single Black Female  by Lisa B. Thompson; Fabulation, or The Re-Education of Undine by Lynn Nottage; BlackTop Sky by Christina Anderson; Voyeurs de Venus by Lydia Diamond; Fedra by J. Nicole Brooks; and Uppa Creek: A Modern Anachronistic Parody in the Minstrel Tradition by Keli Garrett.

The description reads:

African American women have increasingly begun to see their plays performed from regional stages to Broadway. Yet many of these artists still struggle to gain attention. In this volume, Sandra Adell draws from the vital wellspring of works created by African American women in the twenty-first century to present ten plays by both prominent and up-and-coming writers. Taken together, the selections portray how these women engage with history as they delve into–and shake up–issues of gender and class to craft compelling stories of African American life. Gliding from gritty urbanism to rural landscapes, these works expand boundaries and boldly disrupt modes of theatrical representation.

Sandra Adell (Ph.D., UW–Madison) is a professor of Literature in the department of Afro-American Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Comparative Literature. Her other works include Confessions of a Slot Machine Queen, Literary Masters: Toni Morrison, Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Culture: African American Culture, and Double Consciousness/Double Bind: Theoretical Issues in Twentieth-Century Black Literature.

Contemporary Plays by African American Women: Ten Complete Works was released December 15th and is available for purchase in hardcopy, paperback, and digital copy at Amazon here.

The post Sandra Adell Releases Ten Contemporary Plays by African American Women appeared first on Broadway Black.

“In the Bryant Family’s Hyde Park home, prodigal son Jessie shows up for a family wedding with his Swedish “friend”, who is actually his boyfriend, turning the family reunion into a family showdown. Evy can’t understand why her younger brothers are so mysterious and distant; Jessie is afraid to be true to himself and honest with his family; and no one can understand why Tony is so eager to get married. “Modern Family” meets “Soul Food” as these siblings try to bridge their differences with a little help from God, card games and their “Immediate Family”. (immediatefamilyplay.com)

the cast includes Kamal Angelo Bolden, J. Nicole Brooks, Bryan Terrell Clark, Shanésia Davis, Mark Jude Sullivan, Cynda Williams.

We at Broadway Black encourage you to go out and enjoy all 90 minutes of this very real and hilarious play! You won’t regret it!

Tickets for Immediate Family can be purchased by calling 213.628.2772 or by visiting centertheatregroup.org. Tickets range from $25-$85. The Mark Taper Forum is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Los Angeles, Ca.

Meet the Bryants Below!

The post Phylicia Rashad Reunites with Immediate Family appeared first on Broadway Black.