Synopsis

A provocative and satirical series of vignettes exploring African American identity, culture, and history through the metaphor of a museum.

The Colored Museum consists of 11 “exhibits” that challenge stereotypes and confront the complexities of Black American experience. Each vignette features different characters and scenarios, ranging from satirical to poignant:

1. “Git on Board” – A flight attendant welcomes passengers onto a slave ship.
2. “Cookin’ with Aunt Ethel” – A cooking show parody exploring Black stereotypes.
3. “The Photo Session” – A glamorous couple trapped in the pages of Ebony magazine.
4. “Soldier with a Secret” – A haunting monologue from a Black soldier.
5. “The Gospel According to Miss Roj” – A flamboyant drag queen delivers a sermon on survival.
6. “The Hairpiece” – Two wigs argue over a woman’s identity.
7. “The Last Mama-on-the-Couch Play” – A satire of Black family dramas.
8. “Symbiosis” – A man confronts his younger, more radical self.
9. “Lala’s Opening” – An entertainer struggles with her identity.
10. “Permutations” – A young woman gives birth to an egg filled with possibilities.
11. “The Party” – A celebratory finale embracing the complexity of Black identity.

Wolfe’s play uses humour, music, and bold theatrical devices to explore themes of historical trauma, cultural assimilation, self-identity, and the multiplicity of Black experience. By framing these vignettes as museum exhibits, the play invites audiences to critically examine how Black culture and identity have been represented and preserved.