The Playwrights Database
LORRAINE HANSBERRY
(1930 - 1965)Nationality: African American
email: n/a Website: n/a
Literary Agent: n/a
Lorraine Hansberry's plays including biography, theatres, agent, synopses, cast sizes, production and published dates
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below is a list of Lorraine Hansberry's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
Drinking Gourd, The Les Blancs Raisin In the Sun, A Sign In Sidney Brustein's Window, The To Be Young Gifted And Black Toussaint What Use Are Flowers?Drinking Gourd, The
Synopsis:
the Drinking Gourd - or the Big Dipper - for slaves in the South it showed the direction to the North and freedom. Hannibal is nineteen and thinking of running away. He pretends to be lazy and break tools knowing that the Master will not be hard with him as Hannibal's mother is his most trusted slave. But the Master becomes old and frail and his son takes over. the hires an overseer who works the slaves harder and longer. there is soon trouble between him and Hannibal and Hannibal is whipped across the face. When the overseer discovers Hannibal with the 11 year old son of the owner he is horrified to see that Hannibal is teaching the boy to play the banjo. then he discovers the boy has taught Hannibal to read. the overseer demands that he unlearn the reading - Hannibal tells him that is impossible - so the overseer has him blinded.
Notes:
Originally written for NBC Television but never produced As it was "too violent And divisive"
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
in "the Collected Last Plays", New American Library, New York, 1983 -
Music:
-
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Booksellers:
Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageLes Blancs
Young African returns from england to Africa and becomes entwined in conflict and rebellion.
Notes:
completed by Robert Nemiroff
1st Produced:
Longacre Theatre, New York 1970
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
in "Les Blancs(collection), Random House, New York, 1972 978-0679755322
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 17 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageRaisin In the Sun, A
Tensions within middle class black family erupt over legacy.
Notes:
performed on tour first
1st Produced:
Ethel Barrymore Theatre, New York 11 Mar 1959
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Random House, New York, 1959 978-0394406886
Music:
-
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If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 3 Other: 1b extras
Further Reference:
Wearing - the London Stage 59.163
Top of PageSign In Sidney Brustein's Window, The
Greenwich Village reform candidate's motives are discovered to be not entirely altruistic.
Notes:
finished posthumously by Robert Nemiroff
1st Produced:
Longacre Theatre, New York 1964
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Random House, New York, 1965 -
Music:
-
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If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 6 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageTo Be Young Gifted And Black
Synopsis:
a portrait of Lorraine Hansberry in her own words.
Notes:
adapted by Robert Nemiroff
1st Produced:
Cherry Lane Theatre, New York 1969
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Samuel French, NY, 1971 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Biographical
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 5 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageToussaint
The story of Touisant l'Ouverture liberator of Haiti
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Contained in: "Black American Literature Forum" volume 23 number 1 1989 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Drama
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageWhat Use Are Flowers?
after the holocaust a hermit tries to civilise surviving children.
Notes:
one Adult male role, 3 or more youth
1st Produced:
Chernin Center for the Arts in Chicago 2000
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
in "Les Blancs(collection), Random House, New York, 1972 978-0679755322
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
One act
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 1 Other: other children
Further Reference:
-
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