'Kind of Blue' is the first play of its kind

The story “Kind of Blue” incorrectly stated the day the performances begin. The first show is Thursday. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes.

The Historic Playmakers Theatre will witness a different kind of history being made Thursday with the premiere of the play “Kind of Blue.”

The play, written by senior Kuamel Stewart, bids itself as the first full-length performance written by a black undergraduate to be performed on a UNC mainstage.

Set in New York City in the 1940s, “Kind of Blue” follows struggling middle-aged bartender, George Evans, and his wife, Ruby, when their newly engaged daughter brings home her fiance.

The play is named after the iconic Miles Davis album, and seeks to explore different perceptions of masculinity and female sexual expression.

“I certainly want people to be led and to be provoked into serious thought … and to connect with how the play grapples with masculinity,” Stewart said.

Director Jamila Reddy said that the play was written to spark discussion.

“We don’t want it to be, you go see a play, you clap, and you leave,” Reddy said. “We want people to talk about it.”

“Kind of Blue” is the first of Stewart’s planned companion play cycle, which he expects to continue to write for decades.

The cycle will explore eight different types of jazz music. Each type will be explored over five plays. Stewart said he plans to write 40 plays in this cycle.

“Each group of plays are written as companion pieces to eight distinct forms of jazz,” he said.

Stewart focused on the technicality of modal jazz music as he began his piece. He then created a dramatic structure based on the modal use of musical scales.

Modal jazz, which rose out of 1950s bebop, is one of the most complex types of jazz. Rather than playing chords, musicians use scales. The music is unique and often improvised.

As part of the ongoing Carolina Jazz Festival, audience members can attend a complementary performance of Davis’ album “Kind of Blue” after the opening night show.

Audiences will also be exposed to jazz during scene transitions, when Davis’ album will be played.

As an independent student production, the crew faced many challenges, including writing grants for funding and contacting sponsors, Stewart said.

“We are learning about what it takes to put on a production,” said actress Amber Koonce, who plays George’s daughter Nia. “The characters are so complex that it has stretched us emotionally and physically.”

Reddy was charged with directing a play with the playwright often present.

“My main focus is making sure the story is told,” Reddy said.

Stewart, who is graduating in May, said that “Kind of Blue” is the start of his legacy.

“They talk about leaving your heel print,” Stewart said.

“I think this is my way of doing that.”

Assistant Arts Editor Katelyn Trela contributed reporting.

Contact the Arts Editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.