The play Mingus Remixed is written and performed by Barry Shabaka Henley who strives to capture the final moments of Jazz musician Charles Mingus's life through a historical realist narration and performance of significant life events. It is directed by Delroy Lindo and has an original music score composed by Muziki Roberson. The play Mingus Remixed takes the stance of an autobiographical narrative told by Charles Mingus himself and presents its plot through an inner dialogue between him and his acquaintances; and, although it strives for historical realism this work is still fiction derived from Barry Shabaka Henley's imagination. Thus, rather than examine the dramatic elements of the play I will focus on the literary components that it has in terms of characterization, plot, the author's style, Shabaka's tone, and narration from the first person point-of-view.
Mingus Remixed's setting is inside the home of an older Charles Mingus and he is seen sitting in a wheelchair because of ALS, a condition which slowly degrades his motor functions. Shabaka's performance is within this room as he explores Mingus's past experiences and reflects on them in order to glean life lessons and give perspective about the recollected events. The play explores the life of Charles Mingus, the societal conditions of the early 1900's when he grew up, and the 1950's New York Jazz scene that he was apart of. Shabaka's play Mingus Remixed is an unorthodox performance since there exits only one character, also the play consists of inner dialogues and reflections that are seen through Mingus speaking to himself and the imagined personas of his friends and family. Mingus and his acquaintances are all voiced by Barry Shabaka Henley who through his tone can evoke different personas; he says "the characters are created, and not an imitation. I want to deconstruct the icons into human beings." Furthermore, Mingus's narration is in the first-person point of view and he uses "I" and "myself" to refer to himself.
