The Colored Museum 1986

Opened: November 2, 1986
Closing: July 19, 1987

The Colored Museum - 1986 - Off-Broadway History , Info & More

The Colored Museum has electrified, discomforted, and delighted audiences of all colors, redefining our ideas of what it means to be Black in contemporary America. Its eleven “exhibits” undermine Black stereotypes old and new and return to the facts of what being Black means.

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Celebration Arts Presents ZORA & LANGSTON Written & Directed By Imani Mitchell This March
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 12, 2024


CELEBRATION ARTS presents ZORA & LANGSTON, a play written and directed by Imani Mitchell. Production running in Sacramento from March 1-17, 2024.

Gail Merrifield Papp Will Discuss Her New Book with George C. Wolfe at Joe's Pub
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 12, 2023


More than half a century after the Public Theater opened its doors with Hair, Gail Merrifield Papp will speak for the first time about her vivid and fascinating behind-the scenes memoir, Public/Private: My Life with Joe Papp at The Public Theater. The event will be held on Monday, September 18 at 6pm at Joe’s Pub – the Public Theater venue named for Joseph Papp.

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Acquires George C. Wolfe's Archives
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 1, 2023


The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts just announced that the Billy Rose Theatre Division has acquired the archive of George C. Wolfe, the writer, director, and producer.

Mark Morris Dance Group Kicks Off Festival 2023 With THE LOOK OF LOVE
by Stephi Wild - Jun 1, 2023


Mark Morris Dance Group will kick off Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival 2023, with the evening-length work The Look of Love as the season's first week-long engagement in the Ted Shawn Theatre, from June 28-July 2.

FAT HAM, ESPEJOS: CLEAN & More Set for Studio Theatre 2023-2024 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 16, 2023


Studio Theatre has announced its 2023-24 season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets!

PICTURES FROM HOME Box Office to Open Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 16, 2022


Celebrate the laughter and joy of the holidays with a special box office opening of Pictures From Home beginning Monday, December 19 at Studio 54 on Broadway, coinciding with the beginning of Hanukkah.     

Review: GEORGE C WOLFE'S “THE COLORED MUSEUM” ON EXHIBIT at American Stage
by Drew Eberhard - Nov 13, 2022


The Colored Museum a play with music was written by George C. Wolfe. The play premiered at the Crossroads Theatre in 1986 and was directed by L. Kenneth Richardson. Wolfe’s work is the focus of 11 individual sketches or “exhibits” and through these revues, recounts satirical and prominent themes and people throughout African-American History and Culture. As the second show in their 2022/2023 “This is America” Season, American Stage planned to stage this show as a way to redefine our ideas of what it means to be African American in Contemporary America. George C. Wolfe’s review show was the winner of the 1988 NAACP Image Award.

Tickets Now On Sale for PICTURES FROM HOME Starring Nathan Lane, Danny Burstein and Zoë Wanamaker
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 10, 2022


Tickets are now on sale for the Broadway premiere of Pictures From Home. Three of the theatre’s most inventive, inspired and award-winning artists will return to the stage, bringing to vivid theatrical life a comic and dramatic portrait of a mother, a father and the son who photographed their lives.

THE MUSEUM ANNEX By Mildred Inez Lewis Extended Through November 20 At Central Works
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 3, 2022


Central Works’ closing production of its 2022 season, the new comedy from the Central Works Writers Workshop The Museum Annex written by Mildred Inez Lewis has extended through November 20 (originally scheduled to close November 13). 

TWO TRAINS RUNNING, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST & More Lead San Francisco's November Top Picks
by BWW Staff - Nov 1, 2022


San Francisco is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Coming up in November are Two Trains Running, Beauty and the Beast, and more!

Review: AIN'T NO MO' at Woolly Mammoth
by Mary Lincer - Sep 15, 2022


What did our critic think of AIN'T NO MO' at Woolly Mammoth?Thanks to Barack Obama's presidency but, alas, because of Rachel Dolezal's wannabe caper, American drama requires some updated, Black-originated satire; Jordan E. Cooper obliges with Ain't No Mo', his 100 minute whupping of white privilege, supremacy, and presumptive cultural majority at Woolly Mammoth through October 9. Cooper follows the late Douglas Turner Ward and George C. Wolfe whose Day of Absence (1965) and The Colored Museum (1986) lampooned white dominance with comedy both uproarious and bitter, and so does this show. It's good to have the real, live, three-dimensional exchange that only theatre provides. No disrespect, Dear White People, Get Out, Sorry to Bother You, and the canon of Spike Lee.

Central Works to Present THE MUSEUM ANNEX Beginning in October
by Blair Ingenthron - Sep 11, 2022


CENTRAL WORKS 2022 SEASON will conclude with a new comedy from the Central Works Writers Workshop The Museum Annex written by Mildred Inez Lewis, playing Oct 15 - Nov 13 at the historic Berkeley City Club.

THE MUSEUM ANNEX Closes Central Works' 2022 Season in October
by Stephi Wild - Aug 15, 2022


Central Works' 2022 season concludes with a new comedy from the Central Works Writers Workshop The Museum Annex written by Mildred Inez Lewis, playing Oct 15 - Nov 13 at the historic  Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley. Central Works is committed to premiering new works inspired by social issues, contemporary texts, and history.

George C. Wolfe's THE COLORED MUSEUM Opens This Weekend At Loft Ensemble
by Stephi Wild - Jun 16, 2022


Directed by Jazmine Nichelle, the cast will feature (in alphabetical order), Antwan Alexander II, Cassandra Carmona, Bahasi Chapman, Dorothea Saint Fleur, Sean James, Zenarra James, Matt Lorenzo, Bianca Ostojich, Ravyne Demyra Payne, Jessica Perkins, Twon Marcel Pope, Quan'Darius, Jefferson Reid, and Katisha Sargeant.

​​​​​​​The Museum of Modern Art Presents WOLFGANG TILLMANS: TO LOOK WITHOUT FEAR
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 2, 2022


The Museum of Modern Art will present Wolfgang Tillmans: To  look without fear, the artist's first museum survey in New York, from September 12, 2022,  through January 1, 2023, in the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Center for Special  Exhibitions.

Central Works Opens Up With Three Premieres By Patricia Milton, Cristina García, and Mildred Inez Lewis
by Stephi Wild - Feb 8, 2022


CENTRAL WORKS 2022 Season begins March 19 and runs through November 13, 2022 featuring the world premieres of 3 new plays at the historic  Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley. Central Works is committed to premiering new works inspired by social issues, contemporary texts, and history.

Loft Ensemble In North Hollywood Announces Ninth Anniversary Season
by Stephi Wild - Sep 16, 2021


The season will focus on conservation and recovery, as Loft is one of the few NoHo Arts District theatres to make it through the pandemic. The season's theme is de novo — anew, from the beginning. 

George C. Wolfe to Join John Benjamin Hickey in Conversation for THIS IS NEW YORK
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 13, 2021


Symphony Space will present a special conversation between Tony Award-winning director, playwright, and producer George C. Wolfe and Tony Award-winning stage, film, and television actor John Benjamin Hickey, on Wednesday, April 28, at 7pm EST.

Crossroads Celebrates Black History Month With George C. Wolfe's THE COLORED MUSEUM
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 29, 2021


An encore production of the famed play The Colored Museum is being streamed as part of Crossroads Theatre Company's commemorative programming celebrating Black History Month February 2 – 28, 2021.  The play, written by Crossroads' alumni and famed Broadway director George C. Wolfe premiered at the theatre in 1986.  It was first directed by Crossroads Co-Founder L. Kenneth Richardson.  

Clifton Duncan, Dion Johnstone, Paul Niebanck, and More to Star in THE AFRICAN COMPANY PRESENTS RICHARD III
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 6, 2021


RED BULL THEATER today announced the complete cast for the upcoming benefit reading of The African Company Presents Richard III by Carlyle Brown, directed by Carl Cofield, featuring Clifton Duncan, Edward Gero, Dion Johnstone, Paul Niebanck, Antoinette Robinson, Craig Wallace, and Jessika D. Williams. PLEASE NOTE UPDATED CAST INFORMATION.

Clifton Duncan, Edward Gero and More Star in Benefit Reading of THE AFRICAN COMPANY PRESENTS RICHARD III
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 16, 2020


RED BULL THEATER today announced that its 2020-21 offerings will continue next month with a benefit reading of The African Company Presents Richard III by Carlyle Brown, directed by Carl Cofield, featuring Clifton Duncan, Edward Gero, Dion Johnstone, Paul Niebanck, Antoinette Robinson, Charlayne Woodard, and more to be announced.

LaChanze, Daniel J. Watts, Brian Moreland, Stephanie Riggs and More Announced as TEDxBroadway 2020 Speakers
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 21, 2020


TEDxBroadway organizers announced today the speakers who'll be taking the TEDxBroadway virtual stage on Tuesday, November 17 at 1pm Eastern.

BWW Exclusive: THE 101 GREATEST PROTEST SONGS OF ALL TIME - with Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, John Lennon, Kendrick Lamar & More
by Peter Nason - Jun 18, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the 101 greatest protest songs from 1939-2020. See if your favorite songs or artists made the list!

Bailey Contemporary Arts Presents Building a Feminist Archive: A Showcase of Cuban Women Photographers in the US
by Stephi Wild - Dec 3, 2019


Bailey Contemporary Arts (BaCA) presents Building a Feminist Archive: Cuban Women Photographers in the US; an exhibition that features ten women artists whose works in photography provide a glimpse into diverse histories of migration, community, activism and resistance. The work will be on view in the Central and East Galleries from November 20 through December 21, 2019. Free Opening reception is December 6 from 6 pm to 10 pm during Old Town Untapped. And then join us for a walkthrough of the exhibition and a conversation with artists and the curator of Building a Feminist Archive: Cuban Women Photographers in the US. December 18th, 2019 at| 7pm. For more information, www.baileyarts.org.

City Winery Chicago Releases December Show Schedule
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 22, 2019


The following acts are performing at City Winery Chicago (1200 W. Randolph St) throughout the month. All City Winery Chicago events are open to all ages and start at 8:00 p.m., unless noted.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 312-733-WINE (9463) or by visiting www.citywinery.com/chicago.

The Colored Museum FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of The Colored Museum have there been?
The Colored Museum has had 1 productions including Off-Broadway which opened in 1986.

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