Pass Over

by Antoinette Nwandu

From an extraordinary new voice in American theater, a startling play that examines the cyclical ravages of racial injustice and violence on two young black men Moses and Kitch stand around on the corner—talking shit, passing the time, and hoping that maybe today will be different. As they dream of their promised land, a stranger wanders into their space with his own agenda and derails their plans. Emotional and lyrical, Pass Over crafts everyday profanities into poetic and humorous riffs, exposing the unquestionable human spirit of young men stuck in a cycle that they are desperately trying to escape. Spike Lee directed a film version of the play that premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and South by Southwest, and was produced by Amazon Studios. A provocative riff on the Book of Exodus and Waiting for Godot , Pass Over is a remarkable work of politically-charged theater by a bold new American voice.

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Drama, Academic, Contemporary, Fiction, Read For School

112 pages, Paperback

Published August 13, 2019

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

My impetus for reading this play is that it was the first production to open on Broadway following the 17 months of closure due to the pandemic - where it received rave reviews (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/22/th...) and standing ovations (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va7K4...). The script I read is from 2018, which seems to have been the basis for the Spike Lee film adaptation (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7768846/...) - and which apparently was revised, with 20 additional minutes added, for the Broadway premiere.

While the film surely proves the play's viability as performed, it is a problematic script to read - it is entirely written in black patois, with every other word being 'the n' one, which gets wearying quite quickly, and the ending seems both inevitable and not quite as powerful as it should be. Still, I hope to at least see the film soon, and perhaps that will bump my rating up some.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning and heart wrenching. I had the pleasure to see the Theatre Exile run twice in Philly and it was such an excellent production. The play riffs off of the book of Exodus and Waiting for Godot, but recontextualizes it through the struggle of Black men in the usa. Definitely one of the most textually rich plays I’ve read. This is something I’m going to be chewing on for a long time.

[Grace Deadmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the source material

[Ronja (queer-is-the-universe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Deez streets uh violence. Streets uh anger. Lead deez boys on to dat promised land.”

[Frederike · Rating 4 out of 5]

well
well
its just that
it is different
from anything
I have ever read
in a confrontational
amazing
controversial
way
yeah

[zz · Rating 2 out of 5]

string beans, apple pie, ice cream, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, goji berries

[Miriam Mccook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. In Pass Over, Antoinette Nwandu approaches the multitude of emotions and experiences that come with a black man in America. Set now, right now, but also 1855, but also 13th century BCE. Set on a ghetto street, but also a plantation, but also Egypt, the city built by slaves. The variety of location and time settings packs an extremities of weight in just a few words.

The absolute absurdity of Misters character, at first and second meetings, and the complete ignorance toward black struggle and experiences. After killing Moses, Mister presents himself as upset at the mistreatment of ‘black fellas’ in the USA, and this alone tilts a head to the complete lack of accountability on behalf of the white man. The play ends on “anyway …”, which signifies that the white man can simply brush the news off of his shoulders, whereas his actions are fatal.

Moses references the American dream in a futile manner, which also provided bleak introspect, that the ideology of the American dream can only be achieved by those of a certain background. Moses also uses religious references in passing, without much weight but still significance; perhaps even Moses can acknowledge that not even God can save him, can take him to the promised land, away from the hell that is the land of the ‘free’.

An earth shattering, heart breaking and succinct approach to the Black American Experience. A must read by all means.

[DeMarion Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was truly heartbroken when I reached the end. This is visceral, this is potent, and it’s laced with the black experience. I wish I could read this again for the first time. Moses and Kitch are the perfect characters, they remind me of my dad and my uncles so much. I couldn’t help but imagine them being in this play. The way they respond off each other’s energy and the way they dream is nothing short of realistic. Moses’ monologue and drive about reaching the “promised land” is something I have heard my own dad emulate when he was speaking to me about his life after jail. I am so glad that plays like this exist to show people how it is to people like me.

Remarkable. Antoinette Nwandu, you are a miracle.

[Bobby Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disturbing and sad. From the beginning, I could tell that the ending for Moses and Kitch was going to be unhappy. Two guys trapped in their city with zero prospects of escaping. It's easy to see the parallels to black slaves in the South and Hebrew slaves in the Egypt of Exodus. When I got to the part in Act 2 where Moses and Kitch decide to kill themselves to "pass over" to the Promised Land, I had to put the book down for a while. It was too real, and too sad. When Moses caused plagues to descend on the authoritarian Ossifer, it lifted my spirits with hope. And then just when things were looking up, along comes Mister (Master) white man to put an end to hope. Just like real life.

[Jennie Apter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really moved by this play and honored to discuss with the playwright thru a small group playreading discussion with Black authors.
The surprise and sadness and truth of the ending— that is not only the overt acts that terrorize, it is the seeming smaller aggressions, the more innocuous that are most dangerous and halt hope and dreams and actualization. Beautifully written and shocking in parts tho I suppose it should not be. Very honored to have read and discussed.

Also like that the author discussed that it is one act intentionally, no breaks, and having the same actors play multiple parts.

[Tom Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The existential angst and sense of being trapped in Godot translates pretty well to the world of young urban black men stuck in their circumstances. However, Godot is such an abstraction, and it’s painfully clear that Moses and Kitch are trapped by white supremacy culture rather than simply a philosophical conceit.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a sucker for Biblical references. Read this in addition to Spike Lee's filmed version of the play; chilling, maddening, funny, terrifying.

[Laura Merlina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I take back what i said about plays this was excellent!!! please read this it’s so short and so effective at getting its message across about savior complexes, racism, and gun violence. and it leaned on waiting for Godot just the perfect amount for my likings

[lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

un libro corto que se puede leer en una sentada pero que te dejará pensando toda la vida. creo que estos serán uno de los libros que estaré recomendando de ahora en adelante.

hay una adaptación dirigida por el gran spike lee que vale la pena ver.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous, lean play that melds Godot with American anti-blackness in a distinctly theatrical way. Should be widely produced.

[Alexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poignant, unique, and stark. A little challenging to get into at first, but really interesting once your further in.

[Makayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute perfection from start to finish.

[jane bro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this play. That’s not a very in-depth review, I know, but for now that is enough. Will maybe write another later.

[Nanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

An updated version of "Waiting for Godot" wouldn't have been on my listing of things to read had it not been "assigned" for a class.

[Eli Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, expansive play that really eats at you.

[Cherisa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddening. Funny. Sad.
Chauvin was sentenced yesterday. But will it change anything? This play doesn’t make us optimistic.

I’d love to see it staged.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teaching in my Intro to Theatre class

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible. I have no words for the beauty and terror of this performance. I am so excited to see the Spike Lee production!

[Kenzie Buchan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all should read/see this play

[gab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broke my perception of what a play could be. Every moment is heartbreaking and brilliant

[Karissa Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful theatre. Asking questions. Creating conversations. A must-see.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I preferred Fat Ham to this. And they’re pretty similar. Wish I had more theater knowledge.

[Jordyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off not my favorite but it ended up being pretty good. Much better to Waiting for Godot I can’t lie.

[Ian Garrido-Lavender · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely vibrant play

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gut wrenching play about two Black men dreaming of the promised land.