Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Timely, bold and unflinchingly honest, Secrets of a Black Boy returns to Toronto November 10th-20th for a 14 show run. Produced by PLAYINGwithCRAYONS, with the support of Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson Ave.) as part of their 2016.17 Season Guest Company Series, Secrets of a Black Boy focuses a lens on five young black men from Toronto as they come together for one last domino game at their local community centre before its permanent closure – a devastating result of the neighbourhood's revitalization project.
Through a series of monologues mixed with musical interludes, Secrets of a Black Boy critically explores the underlying effects of common stereotypes faced by racialized men and delves into several controversial issues including police brutality and injustice, mental health, domestic abuse, infidelity, interracial dating, and sexuality.
Directed by Kimahli Powell, Secrets of a Black Boy features an impressive ensemble cast including original members Al St. Louis and Samson Brown, returnee Troy Crossfield, and newcomers Julien Hyacinthe and Mark Sparks. The cast is joined on stage by DJ O-nonymous, who sets the tone and provides a rhythmic backdrop to the performance. Having toured to New York’s ActNow New Voices in Theatre Series, North Carolina’s National Black Theatre Festival, Washington DC’s Black Theatre Festival and Single Carrot Theatre in Baltimore, Secrets of a Black Boy returns to Toronto for an unprecedented run, recently adapted to reflect authentic narratives linked to social issues of particular concern today.
“Secrets of a Black Boy is unapologetic in the stories it tells,” said creator and writer Darren Anthony, “but it goes there so audiences leave considering the range of issues and layers facing black men today.”
In this evolved remount of the production, Powell and the cast delve into sensitive issues and shed light on challenging subjects. Following select performances, a notable guest host will moderate talk back sessions with the cast and crew, providing an opportunity for traditional theatre audiences and a new generation of urban, traditionally, non-theatre goers to engage in conversation and explore themes covered within the piece.
Secrets of a Black Boy
Created & written by Darren Anthony
Director | Kimahli Powell
Executive Producer | Shaka Licorish
General Admission: $38
Seniors: $33
Arts workers: $25
Under 30: $17
Location:
Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace
16 Ryerson Ave. Toronto
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Website: playingwithcrayons.com | passemuraille.ca
Instagram: playingwithcrayons | beyondwallstpm
Twitter @PWCproductions | @beyondwallsTPM
Facebook: PLAYINGwithCRAYONS | TheatrePasseMuraille
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Illustration: Marc Lostracco.
2016-10-12
Toronto: PLAYINGwithCRAYONS presents "Secrets of a Black Boy" November 10-20