Where-To-Go Wednesday - Syncopated Stages: Black Disruptions to the Great White Way

What: Syncopated Stages: Black Disruptions to the Great White Way 

Where: New York Library of the Performing Arts

             40 Lincoln Center Plaza

             New York, NY

Who: All ages

When: Through February 21, 2026

The current exhibit at the New York Library for the Performing Arts, Syncopated Stages: Black Disruptions to the Great White Way, traces the history of black theater from its earliest beginnings through the present day. It demonstrates how, by taking control of their own narratives, black creators and performers were able to disrupt the previous white-centric theater and represent black experiences in a more authentic way than previously allowed.

The exhibit features numerous theater groups, shows, performers, and other theater creatives, including playwrights, composers, choreographers, and more. Some of them are more well-known, such as The Wiz,  Josephine Baker, and George C. Wolfe. Others are not as well known to many people, including The African Grove Theater, Hallelujah Baby, and The Hyer Sisters. It covers the controversial history of Minstels and how black people were able to somewhat subvert that. It also presents a partial timeline of major productions from In Dahomey to A Strange Loop.

Both the original production of Shuffle Along and the later 2016 musical about the making of the show are represented within the exhibit. The latter includes a display of a costume and playbill from the show. Other items on display include a set design model from The Wild Party, a costume from The Wiz, and a logo jacket from Ain't Misbehavin'. There are also numerous pictures, posters, and more on display, including some costume sketches. Plus, there are clips of interviews and performances to watch. There is even a free jukebox where visitors can choose from a selection of both popular and theatrical songs by black artists to listen to, and they can even dance along to the music if they desire.

And that's our view. For more about Syncopated Stages: Black Disruptions to the Great White Way, go to www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/syncopated-stages-black-disruptions-great-white-way

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

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