A Free Man of Color Show Poster

A Free Man of Color Cast & Creative

Jacques Cornet is a new world Don Juan and the wealthiest inhabitant of sexually charged and racially progressive 1801 New Orleans. Jacques thinks all is well in his paradise until history intervenes, setting off a chain of events which no one, much less this free man of color, realizes is about to splinter the world.

Please Note: A Free Man of Color features full frontal nudity and sexuality.

This show is closed.

Performances ended on Jan. 9, 2011.

Show Overview

About A Free Man of Color

What is the story of A Free Man of Color?
An epic retelling of the story of the Louisiana Purchase and how it affected the people of New Orleans at the dawn on the 19th century, A Free Man of Color centers on Jacques Cornet, the son of a wealthy Caucasian father and a mother who was his slave. This title character has increased his father’s fortune and set himself up as a dandified Don Juan, living high with the help of his own wisecracking slave, Murmur, much to the dismay of his Caucasian half-brother, who has been disinherited. Surrounding this storyline are historical characters including President Thomas Jefferson and his aide, Meriwether Lewis; Napoleon and Josephine; and the Haitian leader Toussaint L’Ouverture, who petitions the American government for help fighting the French. Can Jacques survive a change in power in the hedonistic city he loves?

Cast

Jeffrey Wright
Jacques Cornet
Mercure, Creux
Nicole Beharie
Margery Jolicoeur
Veanne Cox
Mme. Mandragola, Dona Polissena, Livingston
Meriwether
Justina Machado
Dona Smeralda, Josephine
Joseph Marcell
Dr. Toubib
John McMartin
Jefferson
mos
Murmur, Toussaint L’Ouverture
Princepousse, Talleyrand

Creative

Written by
John Guare
Director
George C. Wolfe
Set Designer
David Rockwell
Costume Designer
Ann Hould-Ward
Lighting Designers
Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer
Sound Designer
Scott Stauffer
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