Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Black Girl (play)

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Written by
  
J. E. Franklin

Original language
  
English

Playwright
  
J. E. Franklin

Place premiered
  
Lucille Lortel Theatre

Date premiered
  
June 17, 1971

First performance
  
1969

Genre
  
Drama

Staged reading of black girl by j e franklin


Black Girl is a play by American playwright J. E. Franklin. It was first produced on public television in 1969, followed by an off-Broadway production in 1971. It was later adapted by the playwright as a feature film that was released the following year.

Contents

Black girl movie


Characters

Earl
Mu'Dear
Netta
Mama Rosie
Billie Jean
Norma
Ruth Ann
Sheryl
Little Earl
Mr. Herbert

Plot synopsis

A family drama about a young woman who defies the low expectations thrust upon her and pursues her dream of becoming a dancer.

Television production

Produced by WGBH, Boston in 1969.

Original Off-Broadway production

  • Directed by Shauneille Perry
  • Produced by New Federal Theatre
  • Producers: Bert Beck, Woody King, Jr. and Dick Williams
  • Set Designer: Charles Mills
  • Costume Designer: Femi
  • Lighting Designer: Buddy
  • Sound Designer: Gary Harris
  • Production Stage Manager: Horacena J. Taylor
  • Opened: June 17, 1971 at Theatre De Lys

    • Cast

  • Arthur French - Earl
  • Minnie Gentry - Mu'Dear
  • Leslie Uggams - Netta
  • Louise Stubbs - Mama Rosie
  • Kishasha - Billie Jean
  • Gloria Edwards - Norma
  • Loretta Greene - Ruth Ann
  • Stacey Durant] - Sheryl
  • Troy Warren - Little Earl
  • Jimmy Hayeson - Mr. Herbert

    • Feature film production

  • Directed by Ossie Davis
  • Producer: Lee Savin
  • Executive Producer: Robert Greenberg
  • Distributed by Cinerama Releasing Corporation
  • Opened: November 9, 1972 in New York City

    • Cast

  • Brock Peters - Earl
  • Claudia McNeil - Mu'Dear
  • Leslie Uggams - Netta
  • Louise Stubbs - Mama Rose
  • Peggy Pettitt - Billie Jean
  • Gloria Edwards - Norma
  • Loretta Greene - Ruth Ann
  • Ruby Dee - Netta's Mother
  • Kent Martin - Herbert

    • Other productions

    The New Federal Theatre produced a revival of the play during their 1995-96 season. This production was staged by Anderson Johnson.

    On Thursday, May 21, 2009 Black Girl was presented by Legros Cultural Arts in New York City.

    References

    Black Girl (play) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA