Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s “Your Blues Ain’t Sweet Like Mine” wants America to face its history on race

The Two River Theater premiered probably one of its most controversial yet enlightening plays with the theatrical world premiere of Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s “Your Blues Ain’t Sweet Like Mine.”

“Your Blues Ain’t Sweet Like Mine” runs through to May 3rd. It is definitely worth the 90-minute sit down, if you’re ready for a real conversation on race.

Setting the Stage

The play is set in New York City around the year 2002. The premise is surrounded by Zeke (played by Two River alum Brandon Dirden). Zeke is a well-educated African American man who comes to the home of Judith in the Upper West Side to pick up some clothes for a local homeless shelter he works at.

He meets Judith at the homeless shelter while she volunteered at the soup kitchen.

The First Conversation

Judith engages him in an intriguing conversation on how Zeke’s intellectualism led him to only be a “community activist”, his savvy on book authors and narratives, to the different eras of music debating about whose blues was sweeter.

As the conversation between Judith and Zeke progresses, he begins to sense his purpose at Judith’s is not just to pick up clothes.

She wants more.

Judith’s Motives

Judith, a freelance writer, wants to do a story on a New Yorker post‑9/11 for the New York Times and felt intrigued about Zeke’s story. He eventually obliged to doing the story and began to divulge his life as a well‑educated man who fell on hard times.

Zeke describes these times as “life”, intertwined with the issues he faced because he is a Black man living in a systemic racist country.

The Dinner Party

Judith invites Zeke to a dinner party on Columbus Day to continue the interview with her male friend Randall and her female friend Janeece from Atlanta. The dinner will bring together an unlikely group of people with disparate views and perspectives on life. Judith was sure it would be an interesting night.

Randall (Andrew Hovelson), who is a down‑to‑earth Caucasian guy, understands there are differences but believes as a society we have grown socially and racially.

Judith’s friend Janeece (Rosyln Ruff) is a very sophisticated, who some would call “bogie,” Black woman with her degrees and high‑paying job. She’s the one that is tired of hearing “brothas” always blaming the “white man” and wanting a handout. Or the brothas who “can’t keep their pants up.”

She doesn’t think too highly of her Black brothas as her previous experiences have conjured up an unpleasant view about them.

And well Zeke, on the other hand, is fueled with frustration — that many might misconstrue as anger — over being a Black man in America. He believes a lot of his misfortunes and shortcomings are simply because of the color of his skin. He affirms the struggles and advancement of Black people are still moving slow because we are living in “modern day slavery.”

Your Blues Ain’t Sweet Clashing Perspectives

The blend is interesting and the dinner leads to the clashing of minds and differences. Discussions on America’s race relations lead to highly charged emotions ending the dinner abruptly.

Zeke and Zebedee

In the final scene, Zeke goes to visit Zebedee (Charles Weldon) at his home. It is located at the end of the tunnel beneath Grand Central Station.

Their interaction is a calming one, two people who meet at the minds so well. A stark contrast to the events that happened at Judith’s house. Zeke turns to Zebedee for solace, and Zebedee emerges as the mentor he trusts most.

Zebedee is passionate. He will reel the audience in as he shares memories of freeing prisoners as a WWII soldier. Moreover, the sadness over the inability to help his African American friend in a sad and unjust situation after returning

home. It will give you an idea of his decades‑long depression and ultimately how racism played a part in it.

The Wisdom of Zebedee

Zebedee’s library — shelves and stacks of books — implies he’s not your typical “homeless man.” He promotes education as “the passport to the future.” In telling Zeke how long it might take to return with his herbs, he might have answered another question that resides at the pit of Zeke’s feelings and rejections for conditions today.</p>

Zeke wanted to be heard, but most importantly, matter.

Your Blues Ain’t Sweet Like Mine’s Message

He’s just like anyone else navigating this complex world and wanting to find their place. And just like many, Zeke doesn’t want the color of his skin to make him pay any more prices.

Many may not understand or agree with Zeke’s sentiments. But one thing for sure, it will wake you up to the work that needs to continue in America.

It will make you look at our past and ask yourself how are we living now?

Learn More

Visit the Two River Theater website to find out more about performances of *Your Blues Ain’t Sweet Like Mine*.