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Rating:  - A powerful hybrid of poetry and drama
"For colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf," by Ntozake Shange, debuted on Broadway in 1976. In her introduction to the book version, the author describes the work as "a choreopoem" made up of individual poems that form "a single statement." This work of literature is a powerful exploration of the lives of Black women.
"For colored girls..." does not have a conventional "plot" or characters. The parts of the choreopoem are performed by characters described as "lady in brown," "lady in white," etc. Together, these women talk about spirituality, violence, female sexuality, music, and the discovery of one's heritage. One particularly moving part of the choreopoem is a tribute to Haitian leader Toussaint L'Ouverture.
"For colored girls..." is a stunning hybrid of poetry, drama, and feminist theology. It is both tragic and sensuous, with the healing power of ritual. The final scenes contain some of the most powerful words ever written for the theater. If you are interested in African-American literature, women's studies, or 20th century drama, I recommend you read this work.
Rating: - NOTHING SHORT OF MIND-BLOWING
Every time I read this masterpiece, it sparks a new emotion within me, and/or I see one of the pieces in a manner different from the previous times I've read it. It makes you laugh, cry, gasp, sing, reminisce, makes you mad...it'll make you feel so many different ways because as hard and rough as the book's language is, it's REAL. I guarantee that ANY woman (possibly men also) who reads this book will be able to relate to AT LEAST one of the characters here (if not, ALL of them). I also love the arrangement of the book. The detail of the stories and the dialogue, the colors, the dancing, the pain...I love it. This masterpiece has been around for over 25 years, and it's just as powerful as its very first publishing day.
Rating: - As A Poet!
As a poet I duelly enjoyed this "poem". it had more substance then domew of the plays I have read recenttly. I really like the dept and character of Shange's women, and their ideas. I was moved by the honest approach to the way things were/are. I applaud this wonderful book and give it two thumbs up!
Rating: - FOR COLORED GIRLS
I RECIEVED A PRIVELEDGE TO DO THIS PLAY WHEN I WAS A SOPHOMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I MUST SAY THAT IT WAS A GREAT LEARNING AND THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE FOR ME. I DID THE OPENING MONOLOGUE AND "NO MORE LOVE POEMS #2" AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE "NO MORE APOLOGIES". WHAT WAS AMAZING ABOUT MY SCHOOL PARTICULAR PERFORMANCE WAS THAT THE ENTIRE CAST WAS IN FACT COLORED. THERE WERE WHITE GIRLS, BLACK GIRLS, LATINO GIRLS,AND JEWISH GIRLS PORTRAYING THE PROBLEMS THAT "COLORED GIRLS" GO THROUGH DAILY. SHANGE, IS AN AMAZING WOMAN TO BRING TOGETHER SO MANY DIFFRENT SITUATIONS AND HAVE THE WOMEN IN THE ENTIRE CAST BOND. SHE IS TRULY GIFTED AND AMAZING. THIS IS A BOOK THAT EVERY WOMAN EVERYWHERE SHOUD OWN AND CHERISH. PLEASE GET A COPY OF THIS BOOK. YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPPOINTED
Rating: - Amazing, the second time around
I first read and performed this choreopeom in college at the tender age of 19. Many moons later, it resounds in my soul as my story, and those of my sisters. Beautifully written, this book means so much more to me now that I've lived, and I've become. Highly recommend as required reading to all who want to know about women. Or humans.
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