The new play Emmett Till, A New American Opera, which centers on the brutal 1955 killing of Emmett Till and explores themes of social justice, has people hesitant about the decision to present the tragic story as an opera.
This is the absolute worst. Broadway is so fucking backwards and THIS is why my love for theatre has dried tf up.
— Tonii (@ToniiAlexis) March 9, 2022
Social media users became outraged after learning that the play is written by Clare Coss, a white woman.
it’s a long hard no for me. pic.twitter.com/iRMoLjDGFt
— karīmi (@avillagescholar) March 7, 2022
People also questioned the writer’s decision to tell the story through the eyes of Roanne Taylor, a white woman who stands against Jim Crow while teaching high school science in Mississippi.
“In the opera, the story is approached through the lens of Roanne Taylor, a young white woman who teaches high school science in Drew, Mississippi.” Clare, no.
— Jasmine (@jasz1lla) March 8, 2022
Also this isn’t a opera about Emmett this is a opera about white guilt pic.twitter.com/gemEuc9vBm
— cj•🌻 (@itscjbell) March 8, 2022
Mezzo-soprano Lucia Bradford will star in the play as Mamie Till, the mother of Emmett, according to Playbill. Tenor Robert Mack will perform as Emmett. Still, people are questioning the choice of performers for the show.
Having 14 y/o Emmett Till played by an adult tenor instead of a boy soprano reinforces the idea that Black kids are somehow older and shouldn’t be treated like children.
This seems insidious.
— this is a subtweet (@Onefourfiveone) March 8, 2022
The play will premiere on March 23 at the Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College in New York. However, people are seeing the name of the theater as another red flag.
just. Why? pic.twitter.com/eZZkdpjV88
— #BecauseIDied (@BecauseIDied) March 8, 2022
John Jay College is presenting the play in partnership with Opera Noire International, The Harlem Chamber Players, and Harlem Arts Alliance.
Emmett was 14 years old when he was killed in Mississippi in 1955. The child’s mother was hailed as a hero after having an open casket funeral to show the world what was done to her son.
