Tuesday News Day: Tyler Perry Reveals "For Colored Girls..." Cast

(A&E news and events)

FOR COLORED GIRLS CAST REVEALED

(but if I had my way...)

A few months ago playwright, director, producer and actor extraordinaire, Tyler Perry announced that he would be directing the film adaptation of Ntozake Shange's celebrated stage play/choreopoem, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.  (Click HERE for initial love/hate reactions at The Root).

Today Perry and company have revealed the film's all star cast (scheduled for release in January 2011).  I don't know exactly what role each actress will play, but the "colored girls" signed-on thus far include, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Jurnee Smollett, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington and Macy Gray.  Hmmm.

I'm definitely not thrilled by all selected to star in the adaptation.  I could do without the humdrum acting talents of Jackson, Carey and Gray, for example.  But veterans Goldberg and Rashad are must-haves.  I also have faith that Elise and Washington as well as rising star, Jurnee Smollett will deliver the goods.  Wow I really wish I had a say (foot in door any day now).  Because if divvying out the coveted roles was my gig, my all star cast of "unnamed ladies" would include Nbushe Wright, Nicole Beharie, Aunjanue Ellis and most definitely Miss Gabby Sidibe (seriously, why is she not in this film?). 

Likewise the lesser known, yet equally equipped Nzingha Stewart would direct the movie. Mara Brock Akil would produce.  Or maybe Julie Dash. Her legendary epic, Daughters of the Dust more than qualifies her for a spot on this project. After all For Colored Girls... is essentially about Black womanhood, self-discovery, female empowerment, etc., so hiring a female crew seems the natural choice and beyond apropos. But I get it. Nobody knows Stewart. Perry has proven he can fill the seats. Hollywood is still Hollywood.  

I just hope that Tyler Perry will rise above his Madea pistol wielding nonsense and deliver a cinematic gem.  And I also hope the film will broaden Shange's fanbase.  It happened for Sapphire after all.  Guess we'll find out soon enough. 

Do you think Tyler Perry should direct
For Colored Girls... ?

Who would you cast for the film?

Should the play even be adapted at all?

Your thoughts?

Much love,

-V.D.