The Soul of the Choreopoem

First appearing in 1974 and reaching Broadway in 1976, For Colored Girls… revolutionized the stage by creating a new genre: the choreopoem. Through a series of 20 poems, Shange weaves a tapestry of stories told by seven nameless women identified only by the colors they wear. The work is a visceral journey through the pain of racism, sexism, rape, and domestic violence, ultimately concluding in a powerful celebration of self-love and sisterhood.

“I found god in myself / and I loved her / I loved her fiercely.”

Plot & Key Narratives

The play opens with “dark phrases,” where the women express the silence and struggle of their lives. Notable segments include:

• The Lady in Red: Tells the harrowing story of Crystal and the tragic loss of her children at the hands of their father, Beau Willie.
• The Lady in Blue: Recounts the difficulty of pressing charges for rape when the perpetrator is a friend.
• The Lady in Brown: Shares a childhood obsession with the revolutionary Toussaint L’Ouverture.
• The Laying on of Hands: The climactic finale where the women join together to reclaim their bodies and spirits.

The Seven Ladies