A Must See
We Were There: A Taste of Barbecue at the Public Theater
Broadway Black was pleased to attend both a preview and opening night of Barbecue at the Public Theater. Written by Obie Award Winner Robert O’Hara, the play is full of twists and turns that will leave the audience gasping and guessing even after the house lights come up.
On the preview night that we attended, we were treated to a lovely offering of wine and, you guessed it, barbecue! Pulled chicken sandwiches, potato salad, and even cornbread were available for patrons. What an appetizing and fitting way to begin a production that takes place around two picnic benches in a public park.
The play itself centers on family, addiction, and making difficult choices. We learn early on that siblings have gathered at a park for a barbecue, which is actually used as a ruse to hold an intervention for their sibling, Barbara. But through their pleading that Barbara get help, the audience learns that all of the siblings have issues with which they must grapple. Twice in the play, the theater goes dark, and when it is illuminated again, twists are revealed that the audience could not have seen coming. Without any spoilers, this is definitely a show that must be seen to be believed, and perhaps more than once to be fully understood.
As previously reported, Barbecue features Becky Ann Baker, Marc Damon Johnson, Arden Myrin, Paul Niebanck, Tamberla Perry, Constance Shulman, Heather Alicia Simms, Samantha Soule, Benja Kay Thomas, and Kim Wayans, who is making her New York City theater debut. The cast plays well together and you have no problem believing that they are siblings.
After the preview performance, we were treated to a Question and Answer session with the actors, the writer and the director. It was heartening to hear Kim Wayans say that doing a play at the Public Theater was on her bucket list. Mr. O’Hara spoke of the importance of race and how it intersects in this production. Again, telling you how would spoil the surprise, but it’s clear that Mr. O’Hara took race into account when writing the play.
Opening Night of Barbecue was October 8 and Broadway Black was there to mingle among the Broadway Black stars. In attendance, among others, were Colman Domingo, Sharon Washington, Logan Vaugh, Maurice, McRae, De’Adre Aziza, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Tamara Tunie, & Gloria Reuben and more!
Broadway Black thoroughly enjoyed Barbecue and would recommend seeing it at the Public Theater before its closing date of November 1. Single tickets, starting at $50, can be accessed by calling (212) 967-7555, visiting www.publictheater.org, or in person at the Taub Box Office at The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street.
A photo posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on
A photo posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on