My World is My Stage

I wish I could say that I’m happy about this. I’m not. Not that I felt that someone else should’ve won (I’m actually not familiar with the other plays that got nominated) but more upset that this now gives this play more validity.

Again, don’t take that out of context. I like the play. I really do. I think it is an interesting story about loss. Exactly that, LOSS. It’s not a good play about race-relations or gentrification. While it touches on them, I don’t think that it does a good job discussing those topics (no matter what the critics say). When you pay attention to the beginning and ending of the play, the story about the young man who kills himself and who ultimately is the reason the family decides to move out, you see how loss is the play’s main element. Every character is reacting to the loss of something (home, life, power, community, etc.)

Why will people produce this play? Because it serves their diversity slot. It has more than one Black person and they only have to be subservient for half of the play. It says some shocking things about race that makes us feel like we’ve really tackled and challenged the way we think about race. It’s safe. It doesn’t actually challenge anything but makes it seem like it does. Granted, I’ve seen one production and that company is all about shock and awe and not really about life changing/status-quo pushing conversations about race. This company also does some of the best work around new plays in the area… :-/

What am I saying? I’m saying that this Pulitzer is going to make more companies, especially those who are looking for the safe, diverse play, want to produce this show. We’ll have more half-assed conversations about race and it’s related issues but little change will happen. More talk, less action.

Thanks Pulitzer committee…maybe next year?! Here’s to wishful thinking…