Pictured: Michael Washington Brown 

Creator and performer Michael Washington Brown, in association with Athenaeum Theatre Productions, has announced his one-man show BLACK! will play a limited run at the Athenaeum Theatre.

According to the press release, BLACK! features Brown inhabiting an array of characters from Africa, the United States, England, and Jamaica, performing each person’s individual perspective and sharing his experiences. The production highlights the nuances and life perspectives of various people who are from the Black global community. Many stereotypes currently exist which seem to ‘mesh’ all black people and their stories together. The truth is that there are distinct differences and very definite similarities between Black people from all walks of life. In addition, each carries their own distorted and often exaggerated opinions about the other, which is a way to distinguish a separation, even though in truth, they are more alike than they believe. BLACK! uses the power of language and performance to delve into these characters to reflect on this communities’ history and their future as well as what they do and do not share of the global Black experience.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share this show, its voices and a global ‘Black’ perspective with the Chicago community,” Brown said. “Chicago is embedded in a rich history filled with a melting pot of cultures, along with its extensive support of the theater and arts. It is my mission and purpose to share this show as far and wide as I can. Chicago is an obvious choice in my journey. I am grateful to have the Athenaeum Theatre, supporting my debut of BLACK! in this vibrant and intoxicating city.

Created in 2016, BLACK! has been included in the Asheville Fringe Festival, the FRIGID Fringe Festival in New York City and the Seattle Fringe. It will be performed at the Tempe Center for the Arts and the San Francisco Fringe Festival in September 2017.

BLACK! runs July 20th – July 30th in Studio 2 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave. Tickets are $25 and available at AthenaeumTheatre.org or 773.935.6875.