Spades: the Play, the 76-show national tour of Marcus Callender’s debut show as playwright and director, concluded its Washington, DC run at Culture House on September 20.
Photo Credit: Punch
Callender, known for his roles in Power, and Wu-Tang: An American Saga, launched the show earlier this month, following a 4-week run in New York City last November. The show stars Broderick Clavery (Extrapolations) as “Gill” and Akilah A. Walker (The Chi) as “Cori,” with Derrick Alexander as “Andre” and Erin Nicole Washington as “Nefertiti.”
At its core, Spades: The Play uses the iconic pastime to tell a story about friendship and the desire to feel a sense of love and belonging. More specifically, through the characters’ competition and playful conversations, we learn about their lives and the world they live in.
It all takes place in Harlem circa 2013 and pulls inspiration from real events in Callender’s life. Four friends in their 20s meet one evening for a casual night in. Before long, things quickly take a turn as the audience is reeled into characters’ relationships and love lives. The play blended interactive elements within the dialogue, with the actors frequently breaking the fourth wall. As the story unfolded, the immersive elements of the performance evoked conversation and vocal reactions from the crowd.
“For generations, the Spades table has been a safe space for the Black community to be open, enjoy banter, and escape from the weight of everyday life. It’s a rite of passage and tradition that unites us culturally,” said Callender in the play’s press release. “I wanted to create a story that marries this rich and important mainstay of our lineage with a coming-of-age masterclass on both life and the game. The undeniable chemistry of the cast, coupled with the raw and irreverent conversations every group of friends can relate to, makes this play hilarious, honest, and uniquely Black.”
Photo Credit: Elijah Martinez
The afternoon offered more than just a show, engaging attendees in an experience akin to a cookout. Card tables are available at each venue, and spades competitions happen in realtime. Sunday performances like the closing show in DC also include a brunch and live DJ. Meanwhile, a bar served beer, wine, and cocktails provided by Wine Culture Club and Jim Beam. Local black chefs and restaurants cater food in each city. Popular DC restaurant SOST catered the September 20 DC brunch performance. Lastly, guests can also expect branded giveaways and activations from sponsors, such as Shea Moisture.
Photo Credit: Punch
