PLAY TITLE:

HOOCHIE MAMA

BLURB:

Set in the mid 1990’s, HOOCHIE MAMA tells the story of the African-American, a modern day “buppie” and his struggle to realize his own “Blackness.”

NUMBER OF ACTORS:

3 M/3F, some roles are doubled, some are not gender specific

LENGTH:

One Act

GENRE:

Fantastic Comedic Drama

DEVELOPMENT STATUS/PRODUCTION HISTORY:

World Premiere Production 1997, originally produced by MPAACT, Chicago, as part of AFROSYNTHESIS, a festival of 3 one acts written by MPAACT playwrights in residence.  First developed at Chicago Dramatists for 10 minute play festivals directed by Robin Stanton.

SPECIAL AUDIENCE APPEAL:

African-American

SYNOPSIS:

HOOCHIE MAMA magnifies and further distorts every stereotype ever concocted about Black life:  dread locked Jamaicans, steppin’ fetchit characters, homeboys, buppies, pimps, hustlers, mammies, coons, and bucks.  Set in the fictitious Glad-As-Night and the Pip Es-tablish-ment, HOOCHIE MAMA centers on a confused main character named African-American who tries desperately to smother his “Blackness”  as a result of such stereotypes invading his perception of who he is in the world.  HOOCHIE MAMA utilizes rhythmic language and extravagantly drawn characters to elevate its themes.  Using African music and poetry, the play asks, who do we think we are, and who are we trying to please in this life?

SPECIAL AWARDS:

Black Theatre Alliance Awards nomination. Best New Work, 1997

Black Theatre Alliance Awards nomination, Best Ensemble, 1997