Happy Ending at Anacostia Playhouse

Happy Ending

Anacostia Playhouse
2020 Shannon Place SE Washington

The hilarious story of the plight of two African American domestics, Douglas Turner Ward's Happy Endings comes to the Anacostia Playhouse in Washington, D.C. In the play, sisters Ellie and Vi's white employers' divorce threatens to cut off the household graft -- which has brought a solid amount of luxury to their lives. Will they be able to endure a riches to rags kind of scenario?

Thru - Aug 25, 2018

Thursdays: 8:00pm

Fridays: 8:00pm

Saturdays: 3:00pm & 8:00pm

Sundays: 3:00pm

www.anacostiaplayhouse.com/

Happy Ending Reviews

Average Rating based on 4 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Washington Post - Recommended

"...The message underlying the Happy Ending script is as pertinent now as in the 1960’s where the stakes were even higher than Haves and Have-Nots. For families trying to survive who were just a generation past slavery, why not pinch a penny, or dime or two from folks too wealthy to notice? We care so much for the adorable down-trodden that we’re willing to turn an eye and wink when they snatch a bit of the trimmings for a comfortable secure life. Watching this talented ensemble tackle this treasured and tricky crowd-pleaser is a delight."

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- Debbie Minter Jackson

DC Theater Arts - Highly Recommended

"...Happy Ending is a one-act satirical comedy written in the 1960s by Douglas Turner Ward, co-founder of the Negro Ensemble Company. He had written an op-ed for the New York Times called “American Theatre: for Whites Only?” that prompted funding and other support for the new company. The NEC’s mission was to create theater by black playwrights from the black point of view primarily (not exclusively) for black audiences. It’s easy to forget what a radical notion about representation that was back then. For that memorial reason alone, the revival of Happy Ending just opened at Anacostia Playhouse is well worthy of attention."

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- John Stoltenberg

MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended

"...“Happy Ending” at Anacostia Playhouse is a really good time. This show is fun. It is really, really fun. It is laugh-out-loud, guffaw and snort fun. And that is a wonderful way to spend 90 minutes this summer—and forget about all the outrageous news bombarding us. For 90 minutes you can enter the slightly larcenous lives of domestics and sisters, Ellie (Jennifer Lee) and Vi (Krinessa Pinkett), who use their smarts to craft a living off of their employers, the Harrisons."

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- Mary Ann Johnson

BroadwayWorld - Somewhat Recommended

"...What's more, Davis' intent to be everything to everyone results in augmenting the historical script by adding song and dance. The maids singing Dinah Washington's "What a Difference a Day Makes" leads to Watkins doing original gospel-tinged songs by Marion Johnson. It makes for an odd tonal change for reasons that may also be to further fill out an evening where "Day of Absence" is indeed absent."

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- Roger Catlin

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Happy Ending at Anacostia Playhouse

Happy Ending

Happy Ending Reviews

Washington Post - Recommended

DC Theater Arts - Highly Recommended

MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended

BroadwayWorld - Somewhat Recommended

Happy Ending Photo Gallery

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