White Chocolate

Black Identity in Small Town White America

Life in small town white America turns out to be anything but idyllic for Professor Walt Williams and wife Ruby. Walts preoccupation with achieving tenure in the publish or perish academic world alienates him from his family. If thats not enough, his college-dropout son, who hangs out on the ski slopes, and daughter Lily, a high school honor student smitten with the white kid next door, are assuming provincial identities that threaten to derail Walts ambitious goal of seeing them achieve success as high-powered black professionals. White Chocolate is a hot issue. It is, in part, about interracial relationships and the impact of that on both the individual and their respective communities. Although other dynamics are involved in the play, the interracial issue prompted much fury and fiery honest discussion in the class [Syracuse University Workshop in Black Theatre]. Jackie Warren-Moore, columnist The Post-Standard, Syracuse, New York White Chocolate is a successful political play because it makes the political personal and particular . . . Kelleys play is also a warmhearted domestic drama. While Walt is fighting for his professional life, he is losing the affection of his teenage daughter, Lily, and his college dropout son, Victor . . . David Reilly, Contributing writer The Syracuse Newspapers/Weekend