Trigger Warning: I wouldn’t recommend this show for children and it displays themes of sex, domestic violence, and eating disorders.
White Girl In Danger is an off-broadway show currently running at the Tony Kiser Theatre owned by 2nd Stage. It’s an energetic show that basically parodies soap operas and sitcoms that are set in rich white neighborhoods, focusing on (you guessed it) rich white families.
The show opens on the lives of three sisters all going through different hardships. They seemingly want to endure pain and difficulty and they ignore those trying to help them. Then enters Keesha who is expected to stay in the background as a black character. However, she desperately wants to change this.
The show is filled with catchy and comedic music, over the top effects, and cheesy characters. I thought the music was reminiscent of the 80s, which was fitting, however not something I would have expected Jackson to write.
White Girl In Danger is genuinely funny and the way the actors deliver the lines makes the show hillarious. I don’t typically find myself laughing at the jokes in musical theatre, but because this show is so ridiculous it was funny. Eric William Morris portrays 3 different characters and is constantly quick changing shirts in order to switch characters. I died when he had to run backstage, quickly change, then enter as a new character. I was so caught off guard by it and impressed by it, so I couldn’t help but laugh.
Just like a typical Michael R. Jackson musical you never know where the story is going to turn next. The show constantly surprises you.
Similarly to Jackson’s, A Strange Loop the show is a commentary on racism and also the stereotypes that are not only perpetuated by white people, but are upheld by the black community in order to fit in with white people.
Jackson’s writing boldly calls out popular creative works that bring the hardships of black people to the forefront. The writers of these works tend to think they are doing a service to the POC community, when they are doing the exact opposite. Most notably, the use of a “mammy” character is mentioned. Even if this character is written as a deep and strong individual, it’s still perpetuating stereotypes.
Speaking of the mother figure, the actress who played the mother, Nell (Tarra Conner Jones) had an amazing voice. I was shocked by her range and breath control. She even got a standing ovation for her show stopping number.
I would love to know how Jackson’s brain works because I truly feel like his shows are an insight on what is going on in his head. Everything that comes from him is so masterful and everything in his writing truly serves a purpose. I particularly liked the metaphor about the movie “Carrie” that Keesha makes at the beginning of the show, which is foreshadowing for later.
In a sense this show reminded me of Be More Chill and not just because many cast members were previously involved with the show. While this show is obviously not directed towards kids and young teens, it reminded me of Be More Chill in the sense that it is unconventional and a little bit crazy, but yet it still has realistic elements to it, making it almost believable.
I would love to see this show again, just to unpack all the messages and analyze it more thoroughly. I think this show brings all different kinds of people together and everyone can take away a message from it.
My friend, Serena and I before seeing the show together.
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