Archive: Arts & Entertainment

According to Ennis King, the older brother in Nathan Louis Jackson’s Broke-ology that opens for previews at the Kitchen Theatre on April 4th and runs through April 22nd, he has developed a new scientific theory. 

As Ennis explains to his younger brother Malcolm, “Broke-ology…is a complex new science that examines two things. One, being broke. Two, staying alive despite your brokenness.”

Ennis and Malcolm are experts in broke-ology, and their situation is complicated by their aging father William’s quickening decline.  Poverty, the American dream and the ties that bind a family together are brought into focus in this poignant, funny and insightful new play.

Ennis’s life is in Kansas City.  His girlfriend is expecting and he is scrambling for extra hours at the restaurant to prepare for the baby.  Malcolm’s life has been established on the East Coast.  After earning a Master’s degree in Connecticut, he returns home for a summer job. Ennis and Malcolm argue over responsibility and duty, priorities and selfishness.  With a baby on the way for Ennis and a potentially life-changing career back east for Malcolm, who should make the sacrifice to care for their father?

William King intends to live on his own so both his sons can get on with their lives. He longs for the days before he lost his wife Sonia, when they were both making the sacrifices for their sons to have a better life. Now Sonia comes to him in dreams of easier times, when being broke was something they didn’t see as their future.

“I am excited to have this wonderful cast to work with. This is a terrific play and I know it will resonate with many as the country continues to live through its own study of broke-ology,” says Artistic Director Rachel Lampert, who will direct the play.

Broke-ology’s all-Equity cast stars two new faces to the Kitchen Theatre:  Chad Carstarphen and Ohene Cornelius, both from New York City.  Returning to the Kitchen are Alexander Thomas (Throw Pitchfork, After Ashley) and Ronica Reddick (boom, Pecan Tan).

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