Who is Colman Domingo?

He was Orlando Jones’ replacement in The Wiz this past summer at City Center.  He was in Passing Strange on Broadway, if you can remember that far back.  (If not, you can check out the film, which Spike Lee shot during the final three performances of the show’s run.)

But who is Colman Domingo, really?

Aside from being amazingly talented, he is a man who loves his sentimental soul music.  The music, for him, brings back the memories which make up the almost-90-minute one-man show, memories of growing up, from West Philadelphia on to college and beyond.  And for Domingo, the memories, like the music, all come from the heart.

In his new show running at the Vineyard Theater, Domingo impersonates his mother, stepfather, older sister and brother, and many more.  He takes us moment by poignant moment through his own coming-of-age, sharing lots of soul music lessons along the way.  The lessons sound banal enough — be yourself, never forget where you come from, etc. — however, because Domingo is such an expert storyteller (he wrote the show, too), the result is anything but.  Domingo’s enthusiastic performance — his energy was infectious even during the matinee I attended! — has clearly been fine-tuned by the director and choreographer, Tony Kelly and Ken Roberson, respectively.  It was a wise decision to employ Mr. Roberson in addition to Mr. Kelly — the choreography is immaculate.  The result is that sort of unconditional admiration which is best conveyed by the word “wow.”

And I mean, WOW.

Colman Domingo in a scene from PASSING STRANGE

Domingo’s rhythm is so on, it’s not even funny. This is not to say the show won’t have you in hysteric fits of laughter, however (because it will). That’s what’s so great about this show, in fact—greater than Domingo’s ability to dance circles around most people who call themselves “professionals.” Domingo is a pro at making us laugh. Domingo is also a pro at making us feel and even, if we are so inclined, cry. And most of all, Domingo is a pro at constructing those genuine moments where we are able to do both—to cry, then laugh, and then feel a genuine satisfaction impossible without both reactions which precede it. That the same matter provokes peals of both laughter and tears is truly emblematic of art at its most poignant: this is one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time, and by far the most intimate and heartfelt.

So: who is Colman Domingo?

Catch this one while you can to find out!