By Jenny Sandman
Ntozake Shange called her 1975 play for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf a "choreopoem," referring to the play's unique fusion of movement and language. Most of her work draws heavily upon her interest in dance and music. But her poetry is dramatically powerful even without the choreography.

for colored girls . . . is made up of seven poems revealing the everyday realities of seven black women. Each of the women speak in simple, plain language; about their men, their poverty, their landscape, their bodies, while dancing and moving and singing. The entire play--language, music, singing--is an auditory feast. Not only do the women have amazing voices (sounding like true gospel singers), they are also strong and passionate actors. They make the poems come alive.

This production is stark but compelling. The small stage is perfectly white, offset by the black curtains surrounding it. There is no scenery to speak of, only this white space, in white light. But each of the women is dressed in a different color--green, yellow, red, orange, etc. They stand out sharply as they move and dance and sway through the space, sometimes alone, sometimes together. The choreography is mesmerizing; each of the women is perfectly aware of her own body and its relation to the stage and the other women. Theatre Double is just beginning to come into its own; this small but impressive production should mark their triumphant arrival onto the New York scene.

for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf By Ntozake Shange Direction and choreography by Michael LeLand Featuring Juanita Amonitti, Shelita Birchett, Jennifer Bragg, Victoria Gonzales, Erika Ewing, Nadine Mozon and Penwah Set Design by Thomas Dellapenna Lighting Design by Diane Fairchild Costume Design by Shelita Birchett Sound Design by David Scholnick Theatre Double Chashama Arts Center, 135 West 42nd Street Through March 16; Wednesday through Saturday 8 pm; Wednesday and Saturday 2 pm; Sunday 4 pm 212-352-3101; tickets $19 Reviewed by Jenny Sandman based on February 23rd performance