A sensation in it's New York premiere produced by the Actor's Studio, this searing drama by one of America's leading writers retains all it's power to this day. Richard, a black man who is a former junkie returns to his parochial southern town and infuriates the denizens with his incendiary talk and actions. When he is killed by a poor, illiterate, white man, the murder, the eulogy, the trial and acquittal are presented in an abstract dramatic form of time, fury, and passion.

"Fires of fury in its belly, tears of anguish in its eyes and a roar of protest in its throat. It throbs with fierce energy and passion...Brings eloquence and conviction to one of the momentous themes of our era." - The New York Times

Premiered at the Actors Studio in New York

MERIDIAN HENRY - a black minister
TOM  - a black student
KEN - a black student
ARTHUR - a black student
JUANITA - a black student
LORENZO - a black student
PETE - a black student
MOTHER HENRY - Meridian Henry's mother
LYLE BRITTEN - a white store-owner
JO BRITTEN - Lyle's wife
PARNELL JAMES - editor of the local newspaper
RICHARD - Meridian Henry's son
PAPA D - owner of a juke joint
HAZEL - white townsperson
LILLIAN - white townsperson
SUSAN - white townsperson
RALPH - white townsperson
ELLIS - white townsperson
REV. PHELPS - white townsperson
GEORGE - white townsperson
THE STATE
COUNSEL FOR THE BEREAVED