BLKS, a play by poet and playwright Aziza Barnes centering around the lives of a group of young black women in New York City, is being performed at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D Street NW, Washington, D.C., through March 3.
The play depicts a day of four young black women, who are friends with each other, as they talk about their struggles and sorrows while engaging in banter.
Directed by Nataki Garrett, BLKS reflects on how black women grappling with love and the anguish grow up in New York City.
“After a bad health scare, Octavia decides to put off her troubles and blow off some serious steam with her friends June and Imani. Will one last epic night on the town—a true test of their friendship full of outrageous, absurd encounters—lead to epiphany or disaster?” notes the brief about the play.
Most of the action in the play happens in an apartment shared by Octavia, June, and Imani who are trying to make a life for themselves.
Starting tonight in Washington, DC: @woollymammothtc begins performances of 'BLKS'.
Meet the cast & crew: https://t.co/9cVRh5a6vR
— About The Artists (@abouttheartists) February 4, 2019
While reviewing the play on D.C. Metro Theater Arts, columnist John Stoltenberg noted that BLKS is in a “league of its own”. “Too often we see works on stage that are about black people but really for white people—productions often very artful yet basically cultural artifacts in the comfort zone that commercial American theater affords everyone except people of color,” wrote Stoltenberg, emphasizing that BLKS stands out as a different play.
Chicago Sun-Times also praised the play, calling it “raw, blistering, hilarious, and engaging”. In its review, Chicago Tribune said that the play “feels so true, it’s worth the attention. BLKS really is laugh-out-loud funny, all night long.”
The play opens with a sex scene, contains instances of haze, smoking, and flashing lights. The running time is about two hours without intermission.
You can buy tickets here.