NEW YORK (AP) 鈥 Rapper and actor Common has made his Broadway debut in the play 鈥淏etween Riverside and Crazy鈥 and what he sees from the stage is something he never imagined: a multi-cultural audience hanging on to every word.
鈥淚t really expresses New York. It captures New York life, human beings. No one is all good. no one is all bad. But in New York you see the blend and integration of so many different types of people and nationalities. And it鈥檚 just natural,鈥 he said Monday at the play's official opening.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Stephen Adly Guirgis stars Stephen McKinley Henderson, who plays a former New York City police officer whose 30-year career ended after being shot by a white rookie cop. Common plays his ex-con son struggling to do right by his father.
The goal for Common was presenting the character as a 鈥渨hole person鈥 and not someone discarded by society because he was behind bars or an addict. "That鈥檚 not all he is. Junior loves his father. He loves his mother. He actually aspires to do something,鈥 Common said.
Henderson鈥檚 character is dealing with a myriad of issues, including the threat of losing his coveted rent-controlled apartment on Manhattan鈥檚 Upper West Side, his dwindling chances at a discrimination lawsuit against the city and the various occupants of his home.
Henderson calls it a New York story, and it鈥檚 replete with an inclusive cast.
鈥淭his is a really, truly wonderful Broadway season and it reflects all of Broadway and it reflects all of America with respect to New York City. And because New York City reflects America and the world,鈥 Henderson said.
Looking out from the stage each night, the veteran actor Henderson says he sees more diversity than he鈥檚 ever seen before.
鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful to hear the laughter in all the languages. You know, you hear laughter in different languages. It鈥檚 quite a kick,鈥 he said.
Despite some early closures on Broadway this season 鈥 including "KPOP," 鈥淎in鈥檛 No Mo鈥 and 鈥淎lmost Famous鈥 鈥 Common sees progress when it comes to the shows that have come to Broadway since the pandemic, including his own.
鈥淚 believe it鈥檚 going to keep growing and getting better. I think we鈥檙e going to continue to get it,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 want to do my best to bring audiences also that are multicultural.鈥
