Trouble in Mind by Alice Childress | Broadway History & Play Summary
Memorabilia Available Here
Trouble in Mind
A Sharp Satire by Alice Childress
Memorabilia Available Here
The Story of Wiletta Mayer
Trouble in Mind is a searing and bitingly funny backstage comedy-drama written in 1955. It follows Wiletta Mayer, a talented Black actress who has spent her career playing stereotypes. During rehearsals for a new “progressive” Broadway play called Chaos in Belleville, she finds herself at odds with her white director’s condescending vision.
“A landmark piece of American theatre that lay unproduced on Broadway for over 60 years because Childress refused to compromise her artistic integrity and tone down its message for mainstream audiences.”
Production History
The play premiered Off-Broadway at the Greenwich Mews Theatre on November 3, 1955. It finally made its long-awaited Broadway debut at the American Airlines Theatre in 2021, produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company.
Creative Highlights
- Playwright: Alice Childress
- 2021 Director: Charles Randolph-Wright
- Starring (2021): LaChanze
- Original 1955 Director: Alice Childress & Clarice Taylor
Broadway Cast & Characters (2021)
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| LaChanze | Wiletta Mayer |
| Michael Zegen | Al Manners |
| Chuck Cooper | Sheldon Forrester |
| Danielle Campbell | Judy Sears |
Productions
Original 1955 Off-Broadway The original Off-Broadway production was produced by Stella Holt, sponsored by the Village Presbyterian Church and the Brotherhood Synagogue. Childress co-directed, alongside Clarice Taylor, who also starred as Willetta. Hal England was featured in the supporting role of Eddie. The sets and lighting were designed by Vincent Sorrentino. The production opened on November 3, 1955, and ran for 91 performances. In 1957, a Broadway transfer had been planned, renamed So Early Monday Morning. The production was cancelled as Childress refused to subdue its content.
1992 British Premiere The play made its British premiere at the Tricycle Theatre in London on October 8, 1992, directed by Nicolas Kent. Carmen Munroe starred as Wiletta with Maurice Roëves as Al. The production ended on November 14.
2017 London Following a run at Theatre Royal Bath’s Ustinov Theatre, a new production opened in London at the Coronet Theatre from September 14 to October 14, 2017, directed by Laurence Boswell. It starred Tanya Moodie and Jonathan Slinger.
2021 Broadway Premiere Trouble in Mind finally made its Broadway debut on November 18, 2021, at the American Airlines Theatre. It was directed by Charles Randolph-Wright and featured sets designed by Arnulfo Maldonado, costumes designed by Emilio Sosa, lighting designed by Kathy A. Perkins, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier, original music by Nona Hendryx, and hair and wigs designed by Cookie Jordan. The production starred LaChanze as Wiletta, Michael Zegen as Al, Chuck Cooper as Sheldon, Danielle Campbell as Judy, Brandon Micheal Hall as John, Jessica Frances Dukes as Millie, Don Stephenson as Bill, Simon Jones as Henry, and Alex Mickiewicz as Eddie.[14] The limited run closed on January 9, 2022, after 58 performances and 20 previews. The production was nominated for four Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Play, Best Actress in a Play (LaChanze), Best Featured Actor in a Play (Chuck Cooper), and Best Costume Design in a Play (Emilio Sosa).
2021 London Less than a month after the opening of the Broadway production, the National Theatre in London opened a production at its Dorfman Theatre on December 10, 2021. Moodie reprised her role from the 2017 production. This production was directed by Nancy Medina and starred (along with Moodie) Cyril Nri, Rory Keenan, Naana Agyei-Ampadu, John Hollingworth, Emma Canning, and Daniel Adeosun.
Other productions of Trouble in Mind have included: New Federal Theatre Project, 1979. Starred Theresa Merritt. William Sloane House, 1987. Negro Ensemble Company at Theatre Row, 1998. Yale Repertory Theatre, 2007. Aurora Theatre Company, 2010. Arena Stage, 2011. Intiman Theatre Festival, 2013. Two River Theater, 2014. PlayMakers Repertory Company, 2015. Yale Repertory Theatre, 2019. Shaw Festival, 2021. Canadian premiere. TimeLine Theatre Company Chicago, 2022. TimeLine Theatre Company Chicago, 2022. Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre Winnipeg, 2023. Hartford Stage, 2023. Baxter Theatre Cape Town, 2024. Pittsburgh Public Theater Pittsburgh, PA, 2025. Collective Consciousness Theater New Haven, CT, 2026.
Links
Other Desert Cities – Memorabilia
Waiting for Godot – Memorabilia
Six degrees of Separation – Memorabilia
Torch Song Trilogy – Memorabilia
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof – Memorabilia
The Boys in the Band – Memorabilia
