A Strange Loop by Micheal R. Jackson first premiered off-broadway in 2019. It went on to win the Pulitzer prize for drama in 2020 and a Tony in 2022 after its broadway premiere. Micheal Jackson, born in 1981, has been a successful playwright and lyricist. As well as an influential member and supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community.
A Strange Loop gets its name from the psychological principle sharing the same name. The principle states that “your sense of self is just a set of meaningless symbols in your brain pushing up or down through one level of abstraction to another but always winding up right back where they started.” In relation to this play, the main character Usher is stuck in his own loop in life. Between his sense of self and societal pressures that I’ll talk about later, he feels stuck in an endless cycle of discontentment and anguish.
The main character in the show, Usher, is a gay black man living in New York City trying to make his way as a screenwriter. The name usher intrigued me because in the beginning of the show we learn that his job is as an usher at a theatre. I took this to mean that the only form of identity that he feels safe portraying to the public is that of his job as an usher. The other aspects of his life are ridden with guilt and disapproval from himself and others.
The next set of characters are the “thoughts.” Each thought takes on many different roles throughout the show. One notable thought is Thought 2. This thought pops up intermittently throughout the show as a manifestation of Usher’s depression and anxiety. I thought that these interjections were a clear way of setting up the character relationships between Usher and his thoughts. They stem from his psyche but he doesn’t necessarily have any control over their actions. This is meant to mimic the way we sometimes lack control of our own minds and the intrusive thoughts that flow through them.
This show is littered with symbolism and themes that represent the points of contention within Usher’s psyche. Popeye’s Chicken is one of the more blatant symbols that is meant to represent the stereotype of African Americans. Various characters mention and consume Popeye’s, most of the time it is during a portion of a scene where Usher’s “blackness” is coming into question. This symbolism ties directly into two other major themes I wanted to discuss. One being parental/ generational guilt and the other being societal and cultural expectations of African American males.
When it comes to parental and generational guilt, one quote stood out to me that is applicable to many people regardless of race. “I did all the work to birf you in this world so now it’s time for you to give back… So write a nice, clean Tyler Perry–like gospel play for your parents please. It’s the least your Black butt can do after all the love we done gave And all the money we done come off of. Unless you just don’t love your mama.” (pg. 46) This quote has phrases that I think a lot of people have heard before. This societal issue stems from the parental figures in someone’s life feeling as though they are owed certain expectations from their children. Now I’m not saying that parents wanting a good life for their children is wrong, however, their idea of what is good and bad are subjective. Usher’s parents want him to conform to their traditional expectations and refuse to accept him for who he is. This is a large part of his internal struggle because the people in his life that should be giving him unconditional love and support are blinded by their own biases.
The other theme I wanted to address briefly was the societal and cultural expectations of African American males. Usher is far from what his parents want him to be and this has a lot to do with what they believe a “proper” black son should be. They mention repeatedly that his choice in lifestyle (being gay) is a sin and that god will give him HIV eventually as a punishment. They also expect him to write a script like Tyler Perry because in their minds he’s the epitome of great black screenwriters. Usher’s script he’s writing is a direct contradiction to what his parents want him to do.
So why put on this show right now? One reason is directly stated in the play: “Yeah, I mean, why not make it be about slavery or police violence so the allies in your audience have something intersectional.” Although attention to these topics is important, It’s time for a story about a black man that doesn’t simply revolve around the police or brutality. There are so many other struggles to be commented on. And if that alienates the Caucasian audience then so be it. Not everything needs to be catered to them. By pushing their limits of comfortability, real progress in understanding can take place. Another reason that is mentioned by Usher is that many plays that are centered around black people are not accurate to reality. We need to show more African American written shows that don’t focus on the eurocentric identity of what we think African culture is. The culture of the next generation in America is vastly different than that of their parents and grandparents. This is a show for the lost kids who feel like no one understands their fight. Another reason can be explained by this quote: “If you’re not scared to write the truth then it’s probably not worth writing. And if you’re not scared of living the truth then it’s probably not worth living. Do you understand?” This show is meant to push against the grain and cause people to be confused and uncomfortable at times. It’s not easy to go against the norm but most of the time it’s necessary.
For my adaptation of this show, I would stick with many of the same choices made by Micheal Jackson. I believe that the casting should stay as an all-black cast and the production team should also consist of primarily black people. This is because the very nature of this show is about showing the true reality of black people in America and not just what we’ve been taught to be true. However, I would like to see this show be done with a minimalist set and in the round. I’ve always felt that by placing a show in the round the experience tends to be more intimate and the actors have the opportunity to really connect with the audience and feel their energy. I also think that putting the proceeds of the show towards a charity that supports LGBTQIA+ youth would emphasize the message of the show. That being that we need to accept the reality that there are thousands of people just like Usher, actually living in our community that are facing this battle and need support.
Keelan, I really liked how you had many interpretive pictures in your pechakucha. I thought this really helped because the play is very interpretive and confusing. I also agreed about the different types of internal guilts that take on the roles of typical people in his life. Great job.
Great way to start by what the name of the play means. Really nice summary with details of the play. Your themes analysis really helped me understand even more the situation of the play Parental and generational guilt and the expectations of African American males in society and cultural. Yes, it’s something different from the norm of just brutality be it police and it is a story that needs to be told for others to relate a standout. I agree on that we need to maintain the authors production style for what the story is and entails. Also agree on that the money should be donated to any or some charity groups. Great presentation and Job, Keelan!