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This is Fresh Air. I'm Tanya Mosley.

Slave Play, not a movie, a play, is a new documentary on HBO that explores the making

of Slave Play, which during its Broadway run broke records and received critical acclaim

for tackling race and sex and interracial relationships.

In the dock, we get a behind the scenes look, as Slave Playwright Jeremy O'H Harris directs actors through workshop rehearsals and brings the play to life on Broadway.

Here's a clip from the documentary of People's Reaction to the Play.

I liked it very much.

I did not like it at all.

A controversial play hits Broadway, sparking a lot of emotion, criticism, and dialogue.

Slave Play. Slave Play. Slave Play.

The New York Times says it is shaking things up on Broadway.

The play was horny and I liked it because I like courting stuff.

When I sat there I was literally shook the entire time.

I think you're missing what the play is about.

I really think that it either went over your head or you chose not to buy into it,

whichever, the latter.

It was hard to watch some of the slavery interactions.

It seems a bit disturbing and kind of sick

...