During the first week of February, an audience gathered at the New York Theater Workshop for a rare performance of Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code, a play originally created and staged within Sing Sing Correctional Facility two decades ago. The production, which inspired the Oscar-nominated film Sing Sing, was performed by its original cast. The actors are once-incarcerated individuals who first brought the show to life through a prison program called “Rehabilitation Through the Arts.” The live performance served as both an encore and a reunion, bringing renewed attention to the real-life stories behind the critically acclaimed movie.
A Unique Theatrical Experience
The play narrates the story of an Egyptian traveler who embarks on a time-bending adventure, encountering characters such as Robin Hood and Hamlet while attempting to solve an elusive mystery. Overflowing with humor, including puns like Robin Hood’s sidekick “Fryer Tuck” as a fast-food specialist, Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code showcases an imaginative energy rarely seen in traditional Off-Broadway productions.
Though Sing Sing briefly depicts moments from the play, the film has managed to keep much of its content shrouded in mystery. The Manhattan performance, an abridged 30-minute version, gave audiences a fuller glimpse of the show. However, some notable scenes were omitted, including those featuring Roman gladiators and Freddy Krueger.
From Prison Stage to Big Screen
Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing dramatizes the creation of Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code, with the real-life performers playing themselves. The film Sing Song followed John “Divine G” Whitfield (played by Colman Domingo), a writer and mentor who helped guide the production. The real Divine G took the stage instead of Domingo at the New York performance. His appearance added more authenticity to the event. The film portrays how the incarcerated actors sought to create a comedy rather than another heavy drama, with theater director Brent Buell (played in the movie by Paul Raci) adopting an open-ended, improvisational approach to writing.
An Awards Contender With an Unconventional Release
Despite receiving strong critical acclaim, Sing Sing followed an unconventional path through awards season. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, where it was acquired by A24. The studio initially planned a slow-building release strategy, similar to other indie successes. Later, the rollout was stalled. The movie spent weeks in limited release, peaking at fewer than 200 theaters, and then gradually disappeared from screens. A surprise re-release in January 2025 was aimed to boost its Oscar chances, but the film quickly vanished from the screens again. Recently, the film has become available for rental, with an eventual HBO Max release expected.
Oscar Recognition and Industry Questions
While Sing Sing fell short of a “Best Picture” nomination, the film did secure three Oscar nods for Best Actor for Colman Domingo, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Song. Actress J. Smith-Cameron, while speaking before the New York performance, lamented the film’s absence from the “Best Picture” category. Under-the-radar distributions of the film have raised many questions, such as did A24’s strategy succeed in getting Sing Sing in front of Academy voters, or could a stronger campaign have secured additional nominations, such as Best Supporting Actor for Clarence Maclin?
A Performance Beyond Awards SeasonThe stage performance of Sing Sing for the New York audience may have been intended as an awards campaign moment, but it ultimately served as something more meaningful. After the show, cast members reflected on the profound impact of Rehabilitation Through the Arts, their bond with Buell, and their journey from incarceration to the stage. The event reflected the film’s deeper message, which transcends any award recognition. Through this stage performance, Sing Sing has perfectly captured and displayed the power of storytelling and the resilience of those who create it.
