Playwright: Alice Childress
Rights: Concord Theatricals
Cast Size: 3w, 6m
Synopsis:
A talented and experienced Black actress has been cast in Chaos in Belleville, an anti-lynching play set to open on Broadway. She’s paid her dues throughout the years, playing stereotypical supporting roles in second-rate shows, and is ready for her star turn. Chaos in Belleville, written by a white playwright, might not be quite as enlightened a piece as she’s been hoping for — but that doesn’t mean it won’t sell out. And selling out is the question at the heart of Alice Childress’s comedy-drama. A cast of multigenerational Black actors rehearse under the purview of a white director and stage manager, and as the rehearsal process unfolds, theatre conventions and racial politics collide, resulting in a surprisingly funny yet deeply piercing look at the entertainment industry.
Ratings:
Language: 13+
Adult Content:13+
Violence: 13+
Pay attention to: The play deals with race relations in the theatre in the 50s. Characters are cast race specific. Racial slurs, including the N-word are used. Manners engages in behavior that could be interpreted as borderline racist (micro-aggressions). Wiletta, Sheldon and Millie sing a few times in the show. Sheldon recounts a lynching that he saw as a child.
Flexibility: All changes must be approved in advance.
Production Notes: There is a play within the play called Chaos in Belleville.