Yellowman

by Dael Orlandersmith

These two raucously acclaimed new plays by Dael Orlandersmith, whom The New York Times has called "an otherworldly messenger, perhaps the sorcerer's apprentice, or a heaven-sent angel with the devil in her," confirm her reputation as one of the truly unique voices in contemporary American drama.

In Yellowman, a finalist for the 2002 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, Alma and Eugene have known each other since they were young children. As their friendship blossoms into love, Alma struggles to free herself from her mother's poverty and alcoholism, while Eugene must contend with the legacy of being "yellow"â lighter-skinned than his brutal and unforgiving father. In My Red Hand, My Black Hand, a young woman explores her heritage as the child of a blues-loving Native American man and a black sharecropper's daughter from Virginia. Alternately joyous and harrowing, both plays are powerful examinations of the racial tensions that fracture communities and individual lives.

Genres: Plays, Drama, Theatre

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the great pleasure of directing Yellowman. It's one of those plays that provides the opportunity for a director to really sink their teeth into. The writing is oh so poignant. The characters are rich and multi-layerd. The story, while dealing with the complexities of race, masculinity and femininity, class and urban versus rural is at its base a love story. By directing this play I hope to bring a greater awareness of the writer and futher share with them this special gift called Yellowman.

[Margery · Rating 3 out of 5]

2002 Pulitzer Prize finalist. I read this as part of a class at Aurora Theatre, which features monthly readings, and discussions, of plays by Black Women. This script was well written, but very hard to read. A lot of domestic violence and serious verbal abuse. The way the parents treat their children and what the parents say to make the girl and boy feel terrible about their skin color is horrifying! Heartbreaking ending.

[Caroline May · Rating 5 out of 5]

i sat my white ass down and LISTENED

real talk though this play is very important - i am not the most eloquent when talking about literature but i recognize the themes of colorism, classism, and misogynoir that run rampant in the south and this play is so powerful and relevant - the way that gene keeps reiterating how it doesn’t matter what color they are, they’re still of one community that really stuck with me - deserving of its pulitzer i want to see this staged yesterday

[zz · Rating 3 out of 5]

and how she, my roommate, and other dark girls painted their full mouths the colors of light and dark fruit.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is raw and heartbreaking. It's hard to put forth a review on a topic which I have no experience in and will never experience personally in my lifetime. I think it would be a difficult show to direct--it would need a delicate hand, but with there right impulses and actors, it could be a gut wrenching and immensely important piece of work.

[!Tæmbuŝu]

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