BookFrontier
Jitney by August Wilson

Book

Jitney

A Play

August Wilson

The Overlook Press · Print & ebook · February 7, 2017

Reading lane: African American Plays

From the beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Fences and The Piano Lesson, August Wilson's Jitney is a richly textured play that follows a group of men trying to eke out a living by driving unlicensed cabs, or jitneys.

At a Glance

Why This Clicks

Work and Dignity

Rich dialogue gives this play’s threatened cab business room for conflict, loyalty, and questions of dignity.

Come here for

  • A close look at the bonds and pressures around precarious work
  • Social and economic tensions grounded in everyday lives

Expect

  • An ensemble play driven by vivid dialogue
  • Personal conflicts with wider stakes

Book Details

Authors
August Wilson
Publisher
The Overlook Press
Published
February 7, 2017
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
African American Plays · Playwriting
Reading lane
African American Plays

Affinity

Publisher Categories

  • African American Plays

About This Book

From the beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Fences and The Piano Lesson, August Wilson's Jitney is a richly textured play that follows a group of men trying to eke out a living by driving unlicensed cabs, or jitneys. When the city threatens to board up the business and the boss’s son returns from prison, tempers flare, potent secrets are revealed, and the fragile threads binding these people together may come undone at last. Through rich dialogue and compelling charact...

Read full description

From the beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Fences and The Piano Lesson, August Wilson's Jitney is a richly textured play that follows a group of men trying to eke out a living by driving unlicensed cabs, or jitneys. When the city threatens to board up the business and the boss’s son returns from prison, tempers flare, potent secrets are revealed, and the fragile threads binding these people together may come undone at last. Through rich dialogue and compelling characters, Wilson masterfully captures the essence of a time and place, shedding light on the broader social and economic issues that continue to resonate. August Wilson's work remains profoundly relevant, as it addresses themes of identity, resilience, and the quest for dignity in the face of adversity. His legacy continues to inspire and provoke thought, making Jitney a must-read for anyone interested in the human condition and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. In addition to an essential and insightful preface by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, this edition boasts production stills from the Manhattan Theatre Club’s Broadway production, directed by Santiago-Hudson and featuring Harvy Blanks, Anthony Chisholm, Brandon J. Dirden, André Holland, Carra Patterson, Michael Potts, Keith Randolph Smith, Ray Anthony Thomas, and John Douglas Thompson. Jitney is the winner of: - Tony Award for Best Play Revival - New York Drama Critics Award for Best New Play - Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off Broadway Play

Similar Books