Daniel Beaty's one-man show "Emergency" at the Geffen Playhouse examines what is means to be African-American is today's United States. Particularly timely stuff as we appear to be on the verge of electing our first African-American President (with all due respect to Bill Clinton).

The idea Beaty effectively puts forth is we're all haunted by a collective history, whether we choose to deny it or or recognize it.

Creating over 40 characters on stage, and centered on slam poetry, Beaty's show is both humorous and moving at the same time.