Falling James
The Black Version’s badass promo poster
In this presumably enlightened modern era, people of color are often invisible in films beyond being portrayed with the usual hoary stereotypes, and remain seriously underrepresented (especially behind the camera). But a decade ago, the brilliant minds behind The Black Version began repopulating the silver screen with their riotously absurd African-American parodies. The concept is quite simple: “The audience suggests the title of a popular film, and a cast of all-black comedy actors improvise the black version of it,” according to the Groundlings website. Directed by Karen Maruyama, the cast features Jordan Black, Daniele Gaither, Phil LaMarr, Gary Anthony Williams, Cedric Yarbrough and Nyima Funk.
Groundlings Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave., Hollywood; Mon., Feb. 24, 8 p.m.; $20. (323) 934-4747, groundlings.com.
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