Marie Antoinette and the Magical Negroes
The Story Theatre, committed to cultivating the next generation of artists at the forefront of Chicago theatre, brings to the Raven Theater presents Marie Antoinette and the Magical Negroes. Coming off his impressive narration of, The MAGNOLIA BALLET, this new play from Terry Guest (AT THE WAKE OF A DEAD DRAG QUEEN) hopes to move society closer to the understanding that we are all equal. And we should never stop believing in ourselves and loving who we are.
In 1755, Archduchess Marie Antoinette was born an Austrian princess. She was 14 years old when she married the future king, Louis XVI. Louis XVI, executed by guillotine during the French Revolution, was the last King of France. He tried to abolish debt bondage and remove the land labor taxes during his reign. However, these attempts, along with abolishing the death penalty for deserters, and deregulation of the grain market, causing an increase in bread prices, led to food starvation and prompted the masses to revolt. After being stripped from all titles and honors, he was known only as Citoyen (Citizen) Louis Capet. His wife Marie Antoinette, who the country turned against, believing her don't care for the plight of the people of France, her lavish spending, and her opposition to the social and financial reforms, soon followed her husband, King Louis XVI, to the guillotine.
Using the Haitian Revolution as the backdrop of blacks' growing tired of being absurd, Guest combines this period of rebellion led by the ex-slave Toussaint Louverture with recent outbreaks of violence against blacks. Characterizing the brutal beating of Rodney King and the senseless killing of Geroge Floyd, rewrote the history script with "This Is Not History" in this theatrical performance. Using words of rage, revolt, revolution, and revenge, he asked, " What are we left to do? Do we scream? Pray? Should we be peaceful? Should we riot?" The play discusses past and present violence, federal execution, and the violence and evilness of lynching.
The cast of Nathaniel Andrew (Savage), Brenna DiStasio (Marie Antoinette), Keith Illidge (Jim Crow), Danyelle Monson (Sapphire), Maya Vinice Prentiss (Sambo), David Stobbe (King Louis XVI), and Amber Washington (Mammy) were very enthusiastic in their roles. And the play does provide some accurate historical events. Still, its disjointed narrative will cause season theater audiences to leave wondering what message it was trying to provide. Maybe a younger, more woke crowd will be able to translate its meaning; however, as much as the theater is about entertaining and educating its audience, it should never have them walking away perplexed.
The term magical negroes popularized by Spike Lee, expressing dismay at its continual use, are supporting stock characters who come to the aid of white protagonists. Magical Negroes, who possess unique insight or mystical powers, like Uncle Remus, Homer Smith, Sidney Poitier in the Lillies of the Field, and Grover Muldoon, played by Richard Pryor in Silver Streak, have long been a tradition in American fiction.
“This “magical black character” who goes around selflessly helping white people is a throwback to stereotypes such as the “Sambo” or “noble savage.”
From the words of The Story Theater press files, Terry Guest's Marie Antoinette & The Magical Negroes reimagines the myth of the lost monarchy and puts it into the hands and mouths of Black people. This clever new-age production that scrutinizes history through the eyes of frustrated people of color with today's racial disorder can be seen throughout the history of theater. The theater has already been a platform that allows individuals to express their need for change, communicate, recreate and interpret ideas and emotions. But it wasn't until 1916 that Angelina W. Grimke's 'Rachel' became the first play authored by a black person and featured a black cast.
In 1965, black poets, artists, dramatists, musicians, and writers emerged in the wake of the Black Power Movement. The Black Theatre movement was an artistic and dramatic concerned with the consciousness and identity of Black Americans affected by the Black Power and the Civil Rights movements.
Guest's penning his narrative streamlining historical characters from the past, showing how different history could have been if blacks were in charge, isn't uncommon in the theater. Still, he fails to strike a meaningful chord that will have people contemplating their past harmful conduct or cause them to leave reflecting on how their future intersections with people of color will change after seeing this performance. Today's society isn't moved by being shocked by the hatred within humanity or blatant words mixed with humor and kindness sprinkled with the hopes of understanding at the end. The riots or protests will be overlooked by the next sensational story news. And although I applaud his passion for trying to change the narrative, Marie Antoinette and the Magical Negroes misses the mark. But on a high note, I can see the evolution of this play becoming another stellar creation from one of Chicago’s up-and-coming stars Terry Guest.
Let's Play Theatrical Review Somewhat Recommends Marie Antoinette and the Magical Negroes.
The Story Theatre
Marie Antionette and the Magical Negroes
Written by Terry Guest
Directed by Terry Guest
June 30 - July 17, 2022
