Ceremonies in Dark Old Men is an American two-act play by Lonne Elder III that premiered Off Broadway in 1969 at St. Mark's Playhouse in a production by the Negro Ensemble Company.
Theo proposes they go into business selling "black lightning," his homemade corn whiskey, and convinces his father to meet Harlem crime boss Blue Haven.
Through layers of ritual, Elder demonstrates the futility, corruption, and internal disruptions that result from efforts to undermine a capitalist system that seeks to determine and define African Americans’ worth and selfhood.
[3] The Negro Ensemble Company production of Ceremonies in Dark Old Men opened at the St. Mark's Playhouse, New York City, February 4 — March 9, 1969 (40 performances).
Directed by Douglas Turner Ward with the following cast: Beverly Canon Theater,[7][8] Los Angeles, Crossroads Theatre, February 5 - March 20, 1988.
Directed by Judyann Elder with the following cast: The Balzer Theater at Herren's,[9] Atlanta, True Colors Theatre Company, July 8 - August 19, 2007.
Ceremonies in Dark Old Men was made into a television movie in 1975, the cast included: Douglas Turner Ward, Rosalind Cash,[10] Robert Hooks, and Glynn Turman.
Other productions of the play have featured many prominent actors, including Denzel Washington, Billy Dee Williams, Keith David, and Laurence Fishburne.