Broke-ology

Should I See It?

What is Broke-ology Like?
A play about family loyalty, Broke-ology is both funny and moving, with characters audiences care about and fabulous performances by a cast of four, particularly Wendell Pierce of The Wire as the patriarch. The two-hour-long play shifts between William’s memories of his wife (circa 1982) and present-day scenes with his grown sons, all set in the family’s neat but shabby home. Although the Kings are African-American, their story has universal resonance with its themes of caring for an ailing parent and the push-pull of ambition and responsibility.

Is Broke-ology Good For Kids?
Broke-ology’s frequent changes in setting and tone may confuse children, and portions of the play are quite sad, though there’s nothing in the content that is objectionable. For middle schoolers and older, however, the play is a thought-provoking portrait of how a family deals with challenges and life-changing decisions.