←Recommendations of The Hands of Banneker

An imaginative and theatrical deep dive into the life of Benjamin Banneker, black man, inventor, dreamer, and scientist. Malique Guinn has fashioned an absorbing tale of Banneker's race to create the world's largest clock even as fragments of his life - present and past - dart in and out, threatening to pull him off course. With playful language and intriguing imagery, the play made me think in new ways about creation, history and mortality.

The clock is ticking. Benjamin Banneker may sadly be an overlooked name in our history, but through Guinn's writing, the genius inventor gets the respect and tribute that he deserves. Weaving beautiful language and imagery, a constant reminder of time, both past, present, and future, and a lovely balance between the epic and intimate, Guinn guides us on an important historical journey. A true celebration of African-American history, and a reintroduction that won't soon be forgotten.

Blending history, science, math, and poetry into a theatrical piece is only the tip of the iceberg of the brilliance of Malique Guinn's writing. The emotional depth and resonance of this play, coupled with its very fresh and contemporary feel, bring new life to an often-forgotten piece of history. The musicality and rhythm inherent in this piece make it such a uniquely captivating piece of theatre. This play is a vibrant piece of theatre you won't want to miss!

Malique's writing is pure luscious poetry! There are lines from this piece that will haunt me forever. It's lyrical and thought-provoking. Watching Malique develop this play was a joy.