Three interesting facts about African American theater colossus, George C. Wolfe

He is known for his controversial plays

He won his first award with his first play, “Up for Grabs,” at the American College Theater Festival for playwriting in the Pacific Southern Region and later picked his second on the same stage with another play titled, “Block Party,” in 1976. His first musical paradise which was produced off-Broadway in 1985 was his switch from theatre to blending music and art.

Though the piece did not sit well with many critics, his next play “Colored Museum” won the hearts of theatre lovers, though controversial. His themes challenged celebrated black American icons Lorraine Hansberry’s play “A Raisin in the Sun” and Eldridge Cleaver’s “Soul on Ice”.

Amid mixed reactions, George warmed himself to the theatre community with his works. He later won the Dramatists’ Guild’s Elizabeth Hull-Kate Warriner Award for the best play addressing a controversial political, social, or religious topic. He has won the tony awards twice with 11 eleven nominations for his musical, “Jelly’s Last Jam.”