American Players Theatre: The Death of Chuck Brown

Nathan Barlow, Josh Krause, Jonathan Gardner, David Alan Anderson, and Cedric G. Young

American Players Theatre Presents THE DEATH OF CHUCK BROWN Review - The Capital of Go-Go Is Seeing Changes

TLDR: The death of a music icon in 2012, Chuck Brown, brings the Chocolate City neighborhood of DC together as they pour one out in his memory. However, this once predominantly Black neighborhood is becoming gentrified and creates a conflict for a barbershop owner. With themes from today and a realistic set, playwright and director Gavin Dillon Lawrence creates this world we become enveloped in and see happening around us in The Death of Chuck Brown.

La Shawn Banks

Enveloped In This Slice of Life at American Players

Two worn-in, but well maintained orange barbershop chairs sit before us on a checkered linoleum floor. Behind them, a large bay window overlooks the street and other businesses out front. Smoke starts billowing from the wings and fills the stage taking us to a different dimension. A tall, lanky figure walks out onto the street dressed in a black leather coat, black sunglasses, and a black cowboy hat. He takes his time walking across the stage, his hands tracing the front window. He leans up against the shop door, his arms high like he’s calling something down or absorbing the energy. He disappears as slowly as he came and the lights come up.

This is Kofi’s Barbershop. It has its quirks, like there’s no internet or cell signal and the door always sticks. But it feels personal and homey (set design by Lawrence E. Moten III) . There’s so much to feast our eyes on from the subway tile walls, to the quirky mugs, to the photos of notable African American and Black figures all over the walls. Water runs from the tap, a fan on a shelf whirs and rotates back and forth trying to keep the shop cool, and clippers buzz adding to the air of realism. Owner Kofi himself, played by David Alan Anderson, makes his first appearance from the back room and here begins a fateful day in The Death of Chuck Brown.

A Community Gathers

The Death of Chuck Brown is set in a very specific point in time - Obama is finishing his first term and running for reelection and today the legendary Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-Go, has passed away in the early hours of the morning. We’re treated to an intimate picture of the Black community in this business that acts as the central gathering point. There’s Sweep (Nathan Barlow), Kofi’s friend and employee whose like family to him. Landscaping business owner, Smitty played by Cedric G. Young represents our older generation. We see why they call him the Prophet of 12th Street as he starts jovial but turns reflective as his eyes unfocus and  sees something we can’t. Then there’s the token white boy, Ricky played by Josh Krause, who shows he’s an ally as he majored in African American history and is teaching at Woodrow Wilson high school. 

Like any parent, Kofi just wants his teenage son, Prince played by Jonathan Gardner, to be safe. His worries grow stronger as number one, their neighborhood is “changing” (read as: gentrifying) as a Whole Foods and Starbucks go up down the street, which comes with an increased police presence. And two, he knows the additional prejudices and dangers his son faces just by existing and being a Black teenager in this day and age. 

The Tension Builds

One thing director and playwright Gavin Dillon Lawrence did throughout the play within the script, the design, and through the actors’ portrayals, was create this sense of underlying tension like we’re constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. We know something is up with Prince at school. His girlfriend’s mom, Sparkle (Shariba Rivers) waits in the shop for Kofi to return to discuss their two kids. As Sweep stands in the doorway, a car with its stereo turned all the way up drives by, followed by police sirens wailing periodically afterwards. 

Breaking up the tension as we wait for Prince to return and between customers coming in for a cut, there are moments of joy and most importantly, music and dancing. As they pay their respects to Brown, Barlow starts singing one of Brown’s songs, throws out a few dance moves and gets Anderson to join him. Rivers and Anderson flirt a little bit and end up dancing together over a pour of whiskey. Prince comes back to the shop and everyone in there joins in a group number, even Ricky crip walking in the middle of the dance circle.. 

And then just when you think it’s safe to breathe again, that we’ve made it through and hit the dramatic climax, no spoilers here, but we’re hit again with another blow that shakes us to our core. 

Nathan Barlow, Jonathan Gardner, and David Alan Anderson

The After Party Thoughts

There were no words when we left the theater. There were giant exhales, headshakes, and just overall processing what we just saw. We had this feeling that this could be any major city - gentrifying neighborhoods, increased police brutality, prejudice and racism; it’s not only contained to DC. What this play does is not only show this particular moment in time but it goes beyond that. It’s a call to action. Or maybe a warning because this was happening in 2012 and more than ten years later, it’s not gotten better..  

As a self-identified woke, liberal, anti-racist, white woman from Chicago, The Death of Chuck Brown probably speaks to me in a different way than it would to someone else who comes from a different background and perspective. So take that as you will, but for me the way the story is crafted with a deeper meaning, a view into these regular people’s lives, the underlying tension, and the emotions it makes you feel are what makes The Death of Chuck Brown, in my opinion, brilliant. 

For those that love plays that are mainly about reflecting the world as it is today with a touch of mysticism, history, and might make you feel things, The Death of Chuck Brown would be a good fit for you.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

When

Now through September 25, 2025

Where

American Players Theatre

Touchstone Theatre

5950 Golf Course Road

Spring Green, WI 53588

Runtime: 2hrs 25min, including an intermission

Tickets

$98+

Tickets can be purchased through the box office by calling 608-588-7401 or through the American Players Theatre website

Photos

Hannah Jo Anderson

The cast of The Death of Chuck Brown

CAST

David Alan Anderson (Kofi)  

Nathan Barlow (Sweep)  

Jonathan Gardner (Prince)  

Shariba Rivers (Sparkle)  

Cedric G. Young (Smitty)  

Josh Krause (Ricky)  

Alexa Christian (Kendra)  

La Shawn Banks (Man in Cowboy Hat)

CREATIVE

Gavin Dillon Lawrence (Playwright & Director)  

Jacqueline Springfield (Voice & Text Coach)  

Jyreika Guest (Assistant Director)  

Haydee Zelideth (Costume Design)  

Lawrence E. Moten III (Scenic Design)  

Michael A. Peterson (Lighting Design)  

André Pluess (Music Composition & Sound Design)  

Victor Musoni (Choreographer)  

Jeb Burris (Intimacy, Movement & Fight Director)  

Tiffany E. Adams (Assistant Costume Design)  

Emily Pfaff (Stage Management Assistant)  

Ryan Barrett (Stage Manager)