Yellowman & My Red Hand, My Black Hand

by Dael Orlandersmith

These two raucously acclaimed new plays by Dael Orlandersmith, whom The New York Times has called "an otherworldly messenger, perhaps the sorcerer's apprentice, or a heaven-sent angel with the devil in her," confirm her reputation as one of the truly unique voices in contemporary American drama.

In Yellowman , a finalist for the 2002 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, Alma and Eugene have known each other since they were young children. As their friendship blossoms into love, Alma struggles to free herself from her mother's poverty and alcoholism, while Eugene must contend with the legacy of being "yellow"—lighter-skinned than his brutal and unforgiving father. In My Red Hand, My Black Hand , a young woman explores her heritage as the child of a blues-loving Native American man and a black sharecropper's daughter from Virginia. Alternately joyous and harrowing, both plays are powerful examinations of the racial tensions that fracture communities and individual lives.

Genres: Plays

108 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Marybeth]

Powerful on the page and a play I'd love to see staged. A two-person play, Orlandersmith traces the relationship between Alma and Eugene from their childhood in the 60s to early adulthood. Rather than interact, they each share their own story and observations (mostly) taking on other characters, particularly friends and family members, in quick character shifts. Both main characters are African Amercian and grew up in South Carolina. Alma has a medium-brown complexion and is heavy set while Eugene is light-skinned and lithe, and much of the play delves into internal racism, a difficult topic, and how parents visit their bitterness and biases regarding skin tone upon their children. There's also an important thread concerning Alma and how she sees herself as a large woman and how she is perceived by society and her mother in particular. Orlandersmith handles these complex and controversial themes head-on and with honesty. This play was a finalist for the 2002 Pulitzer Prize in Drama.

[Jack Heller]

In May 2019, I directed a show of monologues and scenes from Shakespeare and other playwrights in an Indiana prison. Two of the men adapted a scene involving Eugene and Wyce to be a dialogue between them. I had not known of Yellowman previously, and I don't know how the men got a copy of this play. I bought it then just to see what they were working with.

Two weeks ago, I found out the man who played Wyce took his own life back in April (2021). To work on honoring his work and life, I have now read the whole play. I am devastated. I am also grateful, for this play, for the life of my friend, for those who believe in human dignity.

[Charlie Herndon]

Plays that are about race as a subject matter and so-called“memory plays” are not my field of expertise, but I think this is a fine, fine example of both, pretty damn superlative.

[Travis]

Two minimalist productions, written in a poetic prose style with overlapping dialogue spoken by actors portraying multiple characters. Yellowman deals with colorism amongst black community, and how it shapes lives through sexual identity, class, and urban v. rural life. play is also about violent consequences of hatred because of difference, as father kills son and destroys life he might have had with woman he loves (who also aborts a baby she can't stand to raise because it may be dark skinned like her). My Red Hand, My Black Hand reads more like a lengthy poem with three speakers in conversation. centers around child of Indigenous man (Alaskan Tlinglet and Lakota) who plays the blues and southern black woman. deals with racism across communities of color and liminality of mixed race children. ultimately, daughter claims her identity as indivisbly both. interesting use of blood quantum logic: no such thing as HALF BLACK" she's told, which also speaks to Indigenous blood being bred out, but one drop black rule.

[g_jinx]

I cried outloud in public reading this play. Can't say I cry outloud very often. Especially when reading play books in public.

Absolutely beautiful.

[Tuck]

i'd sure like to see this on stage. and the other one contained in this edition, "my red hand, my black hand"

orlandersmith's words SIZZLE

[Rochelle Jewel Shapiro]

Eloquent, passionate tragedy. The characters, the situation, will be with me always.

[Taylor]

No other book has painted a picture like this one. The emotion is so palpable. Wonderful read.

[Rachel]

Honestly can't remember this play or whether I enjoyed it.

[Sylvia]

A powerful and sometimes unsettling read


I enjoyed this riveting description about race and the negative power of shades of blackness.
Deal
Orlandersmith is a gifted writer.

[Angie]

short and powerful. i'd like to see this performed.

[Nicole]

Yellowman is a love story, tender and thoughtful and heartbreaking. A masterpiece, really. And My Red Hand, My Black Hand is a wonderful bonus. I am an Orlandersmith convert.