Broadway plays geared toward blacks are a hit

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Some of the biggest hit shows currently on Broadway are attracting an increasing number of black theater-goers. From the musical Fela to the hit play Memphis, the percentage of African-American attendance on Broadway is apparently on the rise. What’s more, plays and shows have actually begun marketing to their new-found audience.

In this edition of “Positively Black”, NBC’s Tracie Strahan found out what’s behind the surge in black attendance and what it means for the future of Broadway.

Strahan spoke with New York Times writer, Patrick Healy, who notes that the audience diversity for shows like Memphis is especially unique.

“Oftentimes, African-Americans only make up about 3 or 4 percent of an audience, but with Memphis, you saw so many African-Americans and Hispanics coming in of all ages and that seemed really new and different to me,” remarks Healy.

Healy believes that the changing face of the audience is further persuaded by new marketing strategies that focus on the black theater-goer. And with big name actors like Denzel Washington and Dennis Haysbert taking the stage, audience members are sure to take notice.

“This is an untapped market. There are plenty of African-Americans who want to, not only hear the music, but learn a great history lesson.”

Memphis’s own J. Bernard Calloway joined in on the conversation and expressed hopes that a larger black audience will translate into more black roles.

“When people come out and have the experience of seeing my work and our show, writers will sit down and say, ‘Hey, we need to start writing in more black characters and accepting more scripts about the African-American culture.’” predicts Calloway.

Calloway’s wish may come true as upcoming black-themed shows like The Scottsboro Boys and The Mountain Top, based on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., suggest that the black theater-goer is here to stay.