August Wilson's Jitney

A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

August Wilson's Jitney

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  1w, 8m

August Wilson

Set in 1970 in the office of a makeshift taxi company serving the Hill District of Pittsburgh, August Wilson’s award-winning drama is an exploration of economic struggle, addiction, redemption and father/son relationships.

Image: 2017 Manhattan Theatre Club Production (Joan Marcus)

August Wilson's Jitney

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 8m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 2017 Tony Award for Best Play Revival
    Winner! New York Drama Critics Award for Best New Play
    Winner! Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off Broadway Play
    August Wilson is the recipient of the 1986 Whiting Award for Drama.

Details

Summary
In the Hill District of Pittsburgh in 1970, a group of Black men struggle to make a living as drivers for a makeshift taxi company. Owner Jim Becker’s son, Clarence, returns from prison just as the cab company faces a critical juncture. Deep animosities and long-held grudges come to the surface, jeopardizing the prospects for the drivers, who include alcoholic Fielding, gossipy, comical Turnbo, and earnest, decent Youngblood.
History
Jitney premiered at the Allegheny Repertory Theatre in 1982. Thirty-five years later, on 19 January 2017, the play made its Broadway debut at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, the Broadway production featured Harvy Blanks, Anthony Chisholm, Brandon J. Dirden, André Holland, Carra Patterson, Michael Potts, Keith Randolph Smith, Ray Anthony Thomas and John Douglas Thompson.
Keywords
Performing Groups
  • Time Period 1970s
  • Setting Early fall, 1977. A gypsy cab station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“Explosive... crackles with theatrical energy.” – New York Daily News
“Comic, soulful and immensely moving.” – Time Out New York
“Could be described as just a lot of men sitting around talking. But the talk has such varied range and musicality, and it is rendered with such stylish detail, that a complete urban symphony emerges... Drivers return from jobs with stories that summon an entire ethos... Throughly engrossing, Jitney holds us in charmed captivity.” – New York Times
“A transport of delight! So vividly written... it keeps you steadily amused, concerned and moved.” – New York Magazine

Videos

  • Scene 2 from Court Theatre's Jitney youtube thumbnail

    Scene 2 from Court Theatre's Jitney

  • Scenes from South Coast Repertory's Jitney youtube thumbnail

    Scenes from South Coast Repertory's Jitney

  • Scene 1 from Court Theatre's Jitney youtube thumbnail

    Scene 1 from Court Theatre's Jitney

Photos

  • August Wilson's Jitney

    Image: 2017 Manhattan Theatre Club Production (Joan Marcus)

  • August Wilson's Jitney

    Image: 2017 Manhattan Theatre Club Production (Joan Marcus)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

August Wilson

August Wilson

August Wilson (April 27, 1945 - October 2, 2005) authored Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars, Fences, Two Trains Running, Jitney, King Hedley II and Radio Golf. These works explore the heritage and experienc ...

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