For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf - Alfre Woodard, Lynn Whitfield (Broadway Theatre Archive)
starring: Sarita Allen, Trazana Beverley, Laurie Carlos, Gregory T. Daniel, Jackie Davis
directed by: Oz Scott
directed by: Oz Scott
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This video, from the Broadway Theater Archive of PBS's New Yorkaffiliate, WNET, offers an imaginative, if occasionally heavy-handed, televisionadaptation of Ntozake Shange'spoetic theater piece. Originally staged at the Public Theater in New York,this 1982 production is directed by Oz Scott, who transforms what were a seriesof feminine monologues about the black woman's struggle to find her place in aman's world. What Shange's language conjures by itself onstage, Scott helpsvisualize on video, a proposition that misses as often as it hits. Languageabout boyfriends isn't made clearer or more vital by showing us who's beingtalked about. But the overproduction can't strip Shange's language of its juicyrichness--and it is offered with power and humor by a cast that includes then-fledgling actresses Lynn Whitfield and Alfre Woodard as well as Shange herself.--Marshall Fine
Description:
The history of black women in America: having emigrated on a purely involuntary basis, they became slaves to white America and nurturers to white America's offspring. They were rewarded by being the last Americans given the right to vote. This explosive, vivid "choreopoem" illuminates the story of black women in America as they celebrate in song, poetry and dance their strength, beauty and enormous capacity for love. The seven women comprising the cast, including author Ntozake Shange, share with the viewer their exuberance for life and their ability to begin again, no matter how ridiculous the odds. "A play that should be seen, savored and treasured." --The New York Times. With Alfre Woodard, Ntozake Shange, and Lynn Whitfield.
This video, from the Broadway Theater Archive of PBS's New Yorkaffiliate, WNET, offers an imaginative, if occasionally heavy-handed, televisionadaptation of Ntozake Shange'spoetic theater piece. Originally staged at the Public Theater in New York,this 1982 production is directed by Oz Scott, who transforms what were a seriesof feminine monologues about the black woman's struggle to find her place in aman's world. What Shange's language conjures by itself onstage, Scott helpsvisualize on video, a proposition that misses as often as it hits. Languageabout boyfriends isn't made clearer or more vital by showing us who's beingtalked about. But the overproduction can't strip Shange's language of its juicyrichness--and it is offered with power and humor by a cast that includes then-fledgling actresses Lynn Whitfield and Alfre Woodard as well as Shange herself.--Marshall Fine
Description:
The history of black women in America: having emigrated on a purely involuntary basis, they became slaves to white America and nurturers to white America's offspring. They were rewarded by being the last Americans given the right to vote. This explosive, vivid "choreopoem" illuminates the story of black women in America as they celebrate in song, poetry and dance their strength, beauty and enormous capacity for love. The seven women comprising the cast, including author Ntozake Shange, share with the viewer their exuberance for life and their ability to begin again, no matter how ridiculous the odds. "A play that should be seen, savored and treasured." --The New York Times. With Alfre Woodard, Ntozake Shange, and Lynn Whitfield.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- For Colored Girls
Good showing on DVD. I had heard of the play and never had a chance to see it. This was a very good movie, clear and concise.
Rating: 
- A Classic
This play is a classic!I was fortunate enough to see it live and WOW is it powerful.If you haven't already, read the book and get the play.It's a wonder testimate to what its like being black and a women!
Rating: - Classic literature
Anyone who considers themselves to be a theatre aficionado should be familiar with this piece.This work never gets old, it's a wonderful presentation on the Black experience from a woman's perspective.Reading is great, seeing it is better.If you're a Black actress, it should unquestionably be on your shelf.
Rating: 
- Not true to the written play
The performances in this are spectacular. Shange's poetry comes alive.
However, there are two problems I have with this. First, is that one of the poems is left out entirely (latent rapist). Second, they have men in the film that speak some of the words. I think the power of "for colored girls" comes from the words only coming from women, since this play is for girls from women's mouths.
Still an amazing piece of artistry, and better than not seeing it live at all.
Rating: - Now I see what all the fuss was about !
Great work! I have heard parts of this play through out the years- but I was not expecting to see or hear-what I heard and what I saw on this dvd. It is off the chain! If you want to see real black talent-check it out! Also big props to Lynn Whitfield (damn- she is too sexy in this short skirt and midriff blouse- walking down the street- and giving it up real- This women can act and has great command of the stage(also see her work in "Zora is my name!"-another tour deforce- for above the board ... Read More
- For Colored GirlsGood showing on DVD. I had heard of the play and never had a chance to see it. This was a very good movie, clear and concise.
- A ClassicThis play is a classic!I was fortunate enough to see it live and WOW is it powerful.If you haven't already, read the book and get the play.It's a wonder testimate to what its like being black and a women!
- Classic literatureAnyone who considers themselves to be a theatre aficionado should be familiar with this piece.This work never gets old, it's a wonderful presentation on the Black experience from a woman's perspective.Reading is great, seeing it is better.If you're a Black actress, it should unquestionably be on your shelf.
- Not true to the written playThe performances in this are spectacular. Shange's poetry comes alive.
However, there are two problems I have with this. First, is that one of the poems is left out entirely (latent rapist). Second, they have men in the film that speak some of the words. I think the power of "for colored girls" comes from the words only coming from women, since this play is for girls from women's mouths.
Still an amazing piece of artistry, and better than not seeing it live at all.
- Now I see what all the fuss was about !Great work! I have heard parts of this play through out the years- but I was not expecting to see or hear-what I heard and what I saw on this dvd. It is off the chain! If you want to see real black talent-check it out! Also big props to Lynn Whitfield (damn- she is too sexy in this short skirt and midriff blouse- walking down the street- and giving it up real- This women can act and has great command of the stage(also see her work in "Zora is my name!"-another tour deforce- for above the board ... Read More
