When we heard Tyler Perry was set to make “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf” into a film, we were worried he’d turn the classic black play into some kind of buffoonery, but Perry recently helped ease our minds a little bit when he revealed some of the talent that has been cast.
From BlackVoices:
Atlanta-based writer/director/producer Tyler Perry has finally selected the cast for his next film, ”For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.”
Last September, he announced his “dream” cast, so let’s see who made the cut!
Based on Ntozake Shange’s award-winning 1975 play, the film is scheduled to shoot in June in New York with a possible winter 2010/ 2011 release date.
The riveting play, consisting of a series of poems performed through a cast of nameless women, known only by a color — deals with such subjects as love, abandonment, rape, and abortion. It garnered much acclaim when it opened at The Booth Theater in 1976.
It later morphed into an Emmy Award nominated television special and is still being performed around the world.
At last night’s premiere for his latest film, ”Why Did I Get Married Too?,” Perry revealed that the cast will include Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Jurnee Smollett, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, and Macy Gray.
So, Elise and Carey are the only two that made the cut from Perry’s initial wish list which initially included Beyonce, Halle Berry and Oprah Winfrey.
We’re relieved Bey didn’t bite the bait because she can’t even make a role in a second rate thriller believable. While we would’ve loved to see Cicely Tyson turn out another role, we’re confident Phylicia Rashad, Whoopi and Loretta will hold this one down.
“Making a film of ‘For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf’ is a dream come true for me,” said Perry. “Ntozake Shange’s play is a magnificent tribute to the strength and dignity of women of color, and I think audiences of all generations will be able to recognize and embrace the experiences these women represent. Creatively, this movie is one of the most exciting undertakings of my career.”
