A Free Man of Color plays final performance

Lincoln Center Theate'rs prduction of A Free Man of Color, a new play by John Guare, ends its limited engagement on 9 Jan 2011, as scheduled. The show played 29 previews and 61 regular performances.

A Free Man of Color opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre on 18 Nov 2010, following previews from 13 Oct 2010.

The show opened to mixed, but mostly negative reviews: Seriously overweight (NY Times); Spectacular folly (NY Post); Never gets off the ground (Record); Often shrill and scattered, but it's hardly ever dull (NY Time Out); A busy bore (Variety) .

The cast stars Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winner Jeffrey Wright, and also features Peter Bartlett, Nicole Beharie, Arnie Burton, Rosal Colon, Veanne Cox, Paul Dano, Sara Gettelfinger, Joseph Marcell, Nick Mennell, mos, Teyonnah Parris, Brian Reddy, Reg Rogers, Triney Sandoval, Robert Stanton, Wendy Rich Stetson and David Emerson Toney.

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.

A Free Man of Color has sets by David Rockwell, costumes by Ann Hould- Ward, lighting by Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, sound by Scott Stauffer, original music by Jeanine Tesori and choreography by Hope Clarke.