‘for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf’ eyes up Broadway revival

Ntozake Shange's choreopoem was staged in 2019 at the Public Theater.

It's been over 40 years since Ntozake Shange's for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf made its Broadway premiere at the Booth Theatre. But, could the show be heading to Broadway once more? Following the 2019 production at the Public Theater, for colored girls... is eying up a Broadway transfer, with dates to be confirmed.

for colored girls... is a seminal choreopoem that combines spoken word with movement to share the tales of seven unnamed women of color. Throughout the show, each woman has the opportunity to voice their life story, and how it has been shaped by sexism and racism. for colored girls... premiered at the Public Theater in 1976, later transferring to Broadway's Booth Theatre and was nominated for two Tony Awards including best play.

Nelle Nugent, Ron Simons and Kenneth Teaton will produce for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf on Broadway. Further details including a cast, creative team, venue and performance dates are to be announced.

The 2019 cast at the Public Theater starred Sasha Allen (as Lady in Blue), Celia Chevalier (as Lady in Brown), Danaya Esperanza (as Lady in Orange), Jayme Lawson (as Lady in Red), Adrienne C. Moore (as Lady in Yellow), Okwui Okpokwasili (as Lady in Green), and Alexandria Wailes (as Lady in Purple).

In a 2019 review of for colored girls... at the Public Theater for New York Theatre Guide, Donna Herman said: "The play, or choreopoem, is an unflinching look at the racism and sexism faced by black women, and in some sense all women... [The cast] are the embodiment of a rainbow and a literal celebration of the rainbow of women who are wearing them." 

Find out more about what's playing on Broadway and how to get theatre tickets in New York.

^{Photo credit: For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf At the Public Theater in 2019 (Photos by Joan Marcus)}