A local Liberian warlord’s women in a bare hut in Eclipsed at the Golden Theater are called wife #1, #3, and #4, but as written by Danai Gurira, they could not be more individual if you knew them by their mother-given names. Unseen, when he comes by, “C.O.” beckons them. Each returns to the room, hollow eyed, and sponges off her private parts. #2 has taken arms: gun toting and tough, she bears rice and vitriol. They only way to keep the warring men off, is to fight. This all woman production, directed by Liesl Tommy, is feminist, empowering in the proverbial world gone mad. Finding humor and heart in the most atrocious circumstance, this transplant from the Public Theater is essential theater.
If the Oscars are too white, Eclipsed joins a growing list of Broadway productions featuring first-rate black talent, and doubling that with gifted women. For opening night, Angela Davis, Gloria Steinem, Alfre Woodard, Tovah Feldshuh, Adepero Oduye, Tonya Lee, Joel Grey, Corey Stoll, among many others joined the celebration at Gotham, the former spacious bank chockablock with wellwishers. The night before her own Lincoln Center opening in The Royale, Montego Glover noted the exceptional work of this female cast. She’s the only girl in her new play, and proud.
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