Jitney
A Play
The Overlook Press · Print & ebook · February 7, 2017
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.
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- Who it’s for
- Rich dialogue gives this play’s threatened cab business room for conflict, loyalty, and questions of dignity.
- Themes
- Identity and resilience, Dignity in adversity, Justice and equality
- Pacing
- Mixed
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Start with this bookAbout 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.
Continue reading
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
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
Where it sits
| African American Plays | 89% |
|---|---|
| American Plays | 71% |
| Historical Drama | 31% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- African American Plays
- Authors
- August Wilson
- Publisher
- The Overlook Press
- Published
- February 7, 2017
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Identity and resilience · Dignity in adversity · Justice and equality
- Reading lane
- African American Plays