Watch The Black Emperor of Broadway

The Black Emperor of Broadway is a 2020 biographical drama film that was directed by Arthur Egeli. The film depicts the life story of Charles S. Gilpin who was the first African-American actor to gain stardom on Broadway. Set in the early 1920s, the movie follows Gilpin (portrayed by Shaun Parkes), who after experiencing various struggles, worked his way up to becoming a renowned stage actor. Born in a humble background in Virginia, Charles Gilpin moves to Harlem and attains various odd jobs before founding his enthusiasm for acting. He then attends theater classes hoping to get his foot in the door.

However, Charles' journey to Broadway's center stages is far from easy. He struggles to land acting roles due to his skin color, and when he finally lands the role of Brutus in Orson Welles' all-black production of Julius Caesar, he endures verbal abuse and discrimination from the director while rehearsing.

Despite all this, Gilpin perseveres and eventually becomes a huge Broadway star. He challenges the establishment by delivering an unforgettable performance in Eugene O'Neill's groundbreaking play, The Emperor Jones, earning him critical acclaim and a Lucille Lortel Award.

The movie sheds light on the challenges the actor faced as an African-American during a time when blacks were not fully accepted in the entertainment industry. Charles Gilpin's life was so groundbreaking that it is still an inspiration to those striving for success in the industry.

Shaun Parkes' portrayal of Gilpin is masterful and skillfully brings to life the spirit of the talented actor in his remarkable performance. Parkes adeptly captures the complexity of Gilpin's character, showcasing his passion for acting in the face of adversity.

The movie features an ensemble cast, with Leon Addison Brown delivering a credible performance as actor-slash-playwright Langston Hughes. John Hensley portrays Orson Welles, brilliantly conveying the legend's arrogance and disdain towards Gilpin. Nick Moran completes the setup by playing Eben, Gilpin's manager at the time.

Overall, The Black Emperor of Broadway is a beautifully crafted, inspiring and thought-provoking movie that portrays Charles Gilpin's struggle in overcoming the prejudicial times of racism and discrimination. The film is a timely reminder of what can be accomplished when one is determined to succeed regardless of the obstacles one faces.

The Black Emperor of Broadway is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.