The Collective brings 'Bootycandy' to Korea

Actors Alameen and Terris Brown perform in "Bootycandy" / Courtesy of Mallory Dowd

By Jon Dunbar

Expat theater group The Collective is hitting the stage again this weekend and next, presenting its latest production, "Bootycandy" by U.S. playwright Robert O'Hara.

"Bootycandy" is a satirical take on growing up gay and Black, presented in a complex narrative of scenes, sermons, sketches and daring meta-theatrics. This production will be directed by Ray Salcedo, co-founder of The Collective, who is an award-winning director and playwright. He has previously directed "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Titus Andronicus" for Seoul Shakespeare Company and has written a few plays for Seoul Players.

About "Bootycandy," Salcedo told The Korea Times that some readers can guess what the play's title means, but also mentioned it does get addressed in a couple of scenes. "I will just say that I think it reflects the complex relationship one can have with some parts of our bodies that can be the cause of both joy and shame, of both gratification and torment," he said.

"Bootycandy" premiered in 2011 in Washington, D.C. This production features actors Bukeka Masikane, Alameen, Jade Chaunelle, Terris Brown, Alex Belli and Jeffrey Wagner, with stage management by Mallory Dowd and Louis Groves, and production by The Collective's artistic director Kim Schroeder.

"This ensemble cast is simply a dream, and these powerhouse actors put everything out there for us," Salcedo said. "We've created a beautiful balance between parody and reality, caricature and character, isolation and intimacy, vulnerability and audaciousness. The result is uncompromising, and there are moments of shocking discomfort, but that is life sometimes, which all of us already knew, even without this dreadful epidemic or these appalling world conflicts."

The Collective was founded in November 2017 out of a vision by Schroeder to create a platform for underrepresented artists. Over the past five years, it has staged a variety of productions that have challenged dominant societal norms, including a gender-swapping version of "Romeo and Juliet" in 2018 and a unique take on Donald Margulies' Pulitzer-winning "Dinner with Friends" in 2019. It has also been running the "Stories from Below" art festival since 2019. So "Bootycandy" seemed like a logical next choice.

"We know that our audience, who encompass a wide spectrum of experiences and identities, is so very hungry for this type of show, which primarily features actors of color in roles that go beyond simple type-casting or stereotypes," Salcedo said.

"When told responsibly, such stories touch us all, regardless of background, because anyone can relate to such themes as desire, isolation, violation and family conflict. 'Bootycandy' is unabashed and daring, but it is also poignant and touching; it tackles intersections of race and sex in powerful and sometimes shocking ways ― and when you see this group of talent onstage, you might just ask 'Where has this been my whole entire life?'"

The timing is great for this production to debut, so shortly after pandemic restrictions have been lifted, after two years of choking many cultural sectors including live theater.

"COVID-related issues have been the bane of not only all theater-based endeavors recently, but of most fields," Salcedo said. "Luckily, we have been able to manage well enough even while following strict protocols throughout the process. We often relied on the use of technology to get us in the same virtual rehearsal room when needed, and that has made all the difference."

"Bootycandy" will be staged at Emu Artspace near Seoul's Gyeonghui Palace, It will be performed six times, on May 21 at 8 p.m., May 22 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., May 28 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and May 29 at 3 p.m. The play is presented in English with scene synopses in Korean. Tickets cost 30,000 won with reservation, or 25,000 won for students. Visit discoverthecollective.com for more information.

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