Marie Antionette and the Magical Negros

by Terry Guest

This is a play about rage. Revolt. Revolution. Revenge. It is about what happens when black people grow tired of sitting down and turning the other cheek. What are we left to do? Do we scream? Pray? Should we be peaceful? Should we riot? Can the tools we have used in the past possibly work for the future or do we need to write a new script? Using trap music, fashion shows and the backdrop of the French...

This is a play about rage. Revolt. Revolution. Revenge. It is about what happens when black people grow tired of sitting down and turning the other cheek. What are we left to do? Do we scream? Pray? Should we be peaceful? Should we riot? Can the tools we have used in the past possibly work for the future or do we need to write a new script? Using trap music, fashion shows and the backdrop of the French Revolution, Marie Antionette and the Magical Negros reimagines the myth of the lost monarchy and put it into the hands and mouths of Black people.

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Marie Antionette and the Magical Negros

Recommended by

  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend: Marie Antionette and the Magical Negros by Terry Guest
    “

    Wow. This play uses what's possible in live theater to the fullest. It takes the story of Marie Antoinette and weaves in other moments in history - mostly American, but also Haitian and French - to tell a highly theatrical story about activism and complacency. What a wonderful play.

    Wow. This play uses what's possible in live theater to the fullest. It takes the story of Marie Antoinette and weaves in other moments in history - mostly American, but also Haitian and French - to tell a highly theatrical story about activism and complacency. What a wonderful play.

    ”
  • Jillian Leff: Marie Antionette and the Magical Negros by Terry Guest
    “

    I was able to catch The Story Theater's production in Chicago, and I was captivated the entire time. Guest weaves together multiple points in history (mainly the present and the French Revolution) to ask big questions about revolution, activism, and complicity (to name a few things). At the same time he keeps it fast-paced, entertaining, and highly theatrical. Definitely recommend!

    I was able to catch The Story Theater's production in Chicago, and I was captivated the entire time. Guest weaves together multiple points in history (mainly the present and the French Revolution) to ask big questions about revolution, activism, and complicity (to name a few things). At the same time he keeps it fast-paced, entertaining, and highly theatrical. Definitely recommend!

    ”
  • Joe Zarrow: Marie Antionette and the Magical Negros by Terry Guest
    “

    I got to see the Story Theater production of this play. Intelligent, affecting, and hilarious, often all at once. It addresses the most critical political issues of our time without ever being preachy. It made me question my ideas about these issues without ever resorting to both-sides-ism. It's the best, smartest play I've seen in a long while.

    I got to see the Story Theater production of this play. Intelligent, affecting, and hilarious, often all at once. It addresses the most critical political issues of our time without ever being preachy. It made me question my ideas about these issues without ever resorting to both-sides-ism. It's the best, smartest play I've seen in a long while.

    ”
View all 6 recommendations

Development History

  • Workshop, The Story Theatre, 2020