Movie Minute: The Black Emperor of Broadway

In 1920, the king of Broadway, playwright Eugene O’Neill cast Charles Gilpin as the lead in his new play, "The Emperor Jones." At a time when roles of color were played by white men in blackface, Gilpin became the first Black actor to play a lead role. The play made stars of both Gilpin and O’Neill, but when Gilpin took issue with O’Neill’s liberal use of the “n” word in the script, altering the language in performances. Gilpin was fired though his acclaimed performances changed Broadway forever.

Inspired by the play “N” by Adrienne Earle Pender, a playwright and descendent of Gilpin

Directed and produced by Arthur Egeli, The Black Emperor of Broadway stars Shaun Parkes (“Lost in Space,” “The Mummy Returns”), John Hensley (“How To Get Away With Murder,” “Nip/Tuck”), Liza Weil (“Gilmore Girls,” “How To Get Away With Murder”), Nick Moran (“Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows” Part 1 & 2, and “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels”) and Nija Okoro (“Insecure,” “The Deuce”).