‘The Diary of Black Men’ debuts at Stambaugh

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A poignant, thought-provoking and comedic stage show that first debuted in 1983 is hitting the local stage.

“The Diary of Black Men: How Do You Love a Black Woman?” is a play, written by Thomas Meloncon, presented in a series of monologues and vignettes by a cast of seven Black men.

The show, currently touring several cities across the U.S., examines the dynamics between Black men and women from the point of view of several male stereotypes portrayed separately by the cast including The Player, The Intellectual, The Black Muslim and The Pimp.

The production is a combination of drama, comedy and prose designed to evoke a broader conversation about Black men in general, while displaying universal themes throughout.

It showcases the characters’ cultural differences, while exemplifying common stereotypes pertaining to men and the subject of vulnerability.

“Even if you didn’t understand, it’s always cool to see the nuances of somebody else’s culture because at the end of the day, pain is pain and love is love,” said director Tobi Gadison. “I don’t think that men, as a whole, we are not conditioned to be emotionally healthy or human. So when it comes time to deal or process these emotions, we’re not equipped.”

“The Diary of Black Men: How Do You Love a Black Woman?” is Thursday, October 17 at 7 p.m. at Stambaugh Auditorium. For more information and tickets, visit Stambaugh Auditorium online.

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