In the play “Between Riverside and Crazy,” which he performed in on Broadway for the first time, rapper and actor Common experiences something he never could have imagined: a multiethnic audience intently listening at every word. Just, superbly skills.
It perfectly captures New York. It depicts New York life and people. Nobody is perfect. No one is entirely terrible. However, New York is a melting pot of so many various countries and types of people. At the official opening of the show on Monday, he stated, “And it’s only natural.
Common wanted to show the character as a “complete human,” not just a criminal or an addict who was cast aside by society. “He is more than that. Junior adores his dad. Loves his mama dearly. He truly wants to accomplish anything,” remarked Common.
In one of his acts, the possibility of losing his desired rent-controlled apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, his diminishing chances of winning a discrimination lawsuit against the city, and the numerous residents of his home are just a few of the problems Henderson’s character is dealing with.
Stephen McKinley Henderson plays a former New York City police officer whose 30-year career came to an end after being shot by a white rookie officer in the Pulitzer Prize–winning play by Stephen Adly Guirgis. The character played by Common is his ex-con son who is trying to be a good son.
Henderson describes the current Broadway season as “really, really amazing” and “reflecting all of Broadway and all of America with respect to New York City.” Henderson added that New York City “reflects America and the world.”
The seasoned actor Henderson claims that he has never seen as much diversity as what he sees when he looks out from the stage each night.
I love hearing people laughing in different languages. You may hear laughter in other languages, you know. It really is a kick,” he remarked.
Common sees improvement in the Broadway productions that have opened since the outbreak, including his own show, despite some early closures this season, including “KPOP,” “Ain’t No Mo,” and “Almost Famous.” So, I want to make every effort to include diverse audiences.
