A Free Man of Color
A FREE MAN OF COLOR is a freewheeling epic set in 1802 New Orleans.
Why see A Free Man of Color?
John Guare is back at Lincoln Center Theater. The celebrated playwright of Six Degrees of Separation, Chaucer in Rome, and The House of Blue Leaves has written a new play that is by turns astonishing, raucous and panoramic. A comedy of grand scale - with a cast of 33 - made to order for the Beaumont Stage.
A FREE MAN OF COLOR is set in the boisterous New Orleans culture that existed just prior to the historic Louisiana Purchase. Before law and order took hold. Before class, racial and political lines were drawn. When New Orleans was still a parade of beautiful women and good-looking men, flowing wine and pleasure for the taking.
At the center of this Dionysian world is Jacques Cornet (Jeffrey Wright), who commands the men, seduces the women, preens like a peacock and cuts a wide swath through the city and the province. But, it is 1801 and the map of New Orleans is about to be redrawn. The Louisiana Purchase will bring American rule to New Orleans, challenging the chaotic, colorful world of Jacques Cornet and all that he represents.
Dates
Previews from October 23rd 2010
Opening night November 18th 2010
Closes: 9th January 2011
Audience: A Free Man of Color is suitable for audiences aged 12 and upwards
Run time: tba
Show Schedule
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
| Matinee | - | - | - | 2:00 | - | 2:00 | - |
| Evening | 7:30 | 7:00 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | - |
*Show Schedule to be confirmed
Reviews
Customer reviews
9 reviews, average rating: (3.2 Stars)
Philip B. Spivey
A Restoration Comedy that morphs into Tragedy
I saw the matinee of Free Man yesterday and like sugar plums, the costumes, characters and book are still dancing in my head. I'm a great fan of Geo. C. Wolfe, John Guare and especially, Jeffrey Wright. But, I couldn't have imagined that these three would have served up a two-course gumbo of such brillance.
The ingredients of robust farce, stunning costumes,a gold standard ensemble of actors with a tour de force by Mr. Wright and an historical reach of epic proportions, make this one of the finest theatre pieces in my memory.
The stark (and factual) realities of being Black in White America and bawdiness of the production
will make some in the audience wince (as they did yesterday afternoon).
For the rest of us, thank you for the this vibrant, life-filled excursion onto the landscape of this very brief moment in time when Black and White, (at least mulatto Blacks) could share in the in the spoils of the aristocracy.
... Read more
Karine Mellenz
Finally a play that doesn't insult my intelligence
Forget the Broadway fast food shows. This is the good stuff. It's theater about something for once. Good text,great payoff,exquisite actors and production. Guare and Wolfe a great pair. Long? Well it depends. Words, action and color kept coming at us. I had so-so seats but didn't mind. Not for kids. But absolutely for adults willing to listen and look at a different version of history. Very entertaining. ... Read more
LILA
GREAT PLAY
I saw the play on Monday. i didnt know what to expect. I thought the play was excellent. Great way to tell history with humor. ... Read more
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