WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING " Connell and Sekou have created something that manages to provoke and inspire. The Word Begins is a performance ideally suited for Signature's ARK Theatre space. Smartly breaking boundaries and boldly defying conventions... What is certain is that when the word begins to spread about The Word Begins, Signature's ARK Theatre will experience a seat-filling flood of audience members." -- MetroWeekly "...slickly packaged... some of the vignettes crackle with pinpoint veracity. At its sharpest and funniest, The Word Begins stomps outrageously on such minefield topics as race and rap music's denigration of women." -- Washington Post “...the evening is enormous fun. Their impersonations of characters representing a range of fiercely myopic attitudes about race is at once telling and explosively funny... the evening is at its most engaging when Connell and Sekou appear to be free-associating, topping each other in overlapping linguistic arcs as they link, say, Guantanamo to the Jena Six, or Anne Frank to the Underground Railroad. -- Washington City Paper "...full of hopeful, defiant, angry, sly, inspiring, comic, and self-mocking words... It's definitely not your father's poetry. Their (Connell and Sekou) timing is exquisitely precise as they seamlessly flow through non-linear scenes of intense and edgy drama or poignant comedy. ...the electricity of their passion and energy is almost overwhelming." -- TheaterMania "Word rollicks with messages... Riotous and perceptive..." -- Washington Times "intense... a unique theatrical experience that will challenge, enrage, amuse, dispirit, and lift you. ...a stunning show on the cutting edge of modern theater." -- Falls Church News-Press “The guys are good... They had me at the Word... Their potential is limitless...” -- DC Theatre Scene "You will want to change the way you think. You will not be disappointed!" -- Majic 102.3 WHAT AUDIENCES ARE SAYING "I was so impressed with Steve and Sekou's passion and creativity. I can't stop thinking about the show. They give me hope for the future of the performing arts." - Vicki Kimble, two-year subscriber "The Word Begins is not your typical theater evening. It is rude, audacious, in-your-face, and challenging - whatever your perspective coming in, it will be either changed or more carefully considered when you leave. And all of this while being entertained and even dazzled by the sustained level of inventiveness and energy displayed by both Sekou and Steve Connell." - Don Mahley, seven-year subscriber "The Word Begins is everything theater should be - provocative, creative, and dazzling. The display of verbal artistry took my breath away. Is it sometimes difficult? Sure - and isn't that what good theater does - challenges assumptions and makes us think. I couldn't stop thinking about this piece and talking about it with friends." - Debbie Diener, long-time (over 16 years) subscriber "The Word Begins is an engaging riff on contemporary topics, and the more controversial the better. Religion, gender, politics, romance, social class - none are spared. Multiple levels of multiple viewpoints are explored, bringing vividly to life the principle that nothing is either black and white. Even on race - one of the dominant subjects of this energetic and fast-moving evening - nothing is simply black and white." - Timothy Carlton, five-year subscriber "If you are looking for a run of the mill, status quo, formula show that leaves you the minute you leave the theater, then this is not the play for you. However, if you are interested in an insightful, passionate, current play with a social conscience that will cause you to spend the evening in thought and discussion, then you should put this on your list. It made me cry, but most of all, it made me think. " - Maria Illingworth