←Recommendations of The Sad Demise & Eventual Extinction of the American Negro

A brilliant play that couldn't be more timely.

A powerful look at racism in America and what has led to now. Well done.

"History is written by the victors..." but what's worse, is that sometimes the narrative comes from the mouths of those that suffered the most. This play is the history lesson America needs because misremembering isn't a choice anymore. We must review our roles in the stories we tell and the importance of always identifying the truth. I hope that in the face of adversity, I will always remember to allow myself to BE BROWN and like Donavan, always tell my truth, no matter what.

Wow. A deeply chilling, occasionally queasily funny satire that uses the revisionist rhetoric of past racist works like Song of the South to present a disturbing future where history is distorted to fit a white supremacist narrative (more than it already is). Made even more chilling in the wake of our president's recent pledge to teach "American Exceptionalism" and label antiracist education as "Anti-American." Just stunning.

Razor sharp satire that is essential reading and viewing. Stacey Rose has masterfully created a terrifying dystopia that presents not simply a "horrifying future," but rather a comprehensive exploration of current and historical anti-Black racism, white supremacy, white revisionist history, and the legacy of traumatic violence against Black bodies throughout the world but, especially in the United States. The storytelling is startlingly straightforward, while the piece is so incredibly nuanced, rich, and layered. Gutting and satirical and virtuosic.

I don't think I've ever read America's deeply rooted racial animus laid bare so thoroughly and with such grim wit. Rose's work is unflinching and scathing in its examination of race relations both past and present. As a fan of dystopian tales, I am impressed at how an entire world is hinted at through the play's focus on a horrifying pageant that passes for entertainment in this future. The dialogue, songs, and references are constantly inventive and hit multiple satiric targets. A daring, incredible, and important work.

The opening and the rest of this play will snap your head and make you pay attention. Distinctive voices, irreverent. Loved your use of words: Knee Grows, Underground Subway and your use of a kind of dance line Greek chorus. Stacey gives inventive twists to old songs and icons from our nation's past. Sobering rewrite of history. She deserved the award from Barrington Stage.

This play hits like a gut punch to the throat and I mean that in the best way possible. But the best (worst) part is that there are elements of it that feel possible if we keep going down the terrifying path of propagating revisionist history (and by “we” I mean the government but also kind of everyone?). ALSO, it made me interrogate my whiteness in a way I hadn’t before because IN THIS PLAY we are the “innocent” bystanders, complicit in our armed silence... we are evil because we do nothing in the name of protecting ourselves.

This is a play that should make you squirm, especially when it makes you laugh. It’s a satire of the first order that explores how power, privilege, and propaganda work to prop up systemic racism in America. It is also a well constructed play. The dialogue is terrific, the characters are strong and have distinct voices, and the tension builds steadily to a compelling climax with a surprising little twist. Stacey Rose deserves the awards and acclaim she has won so far for this play. I hope there is more (and many productions) to come!