A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Taking of Miss Janie

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  4w, 5m

Ed Bullins

The Taking of Miss Janie tells the story of a decade as young college students in the mid-1970s struggle to find their place in society.

“A metaphor for race relations.” – The New York Times

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The Taking of Miss Janie

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Period, Experimental, Docudrama/Historic
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 1975 Obie Award for Direction (Gilbert Moses) and Playwrighting (Ed Bullins)
    Winner! 1975 Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best American Play

Details

Summary
The Taking of Miss Janie tells the story of a decade as the youth of the 1970s undergo their individual experiences. Bullins's play presents a group of college students who struggle to find their place in society. While some of the characters face the problems of interpersonal relationships, others try to find a viable way to cause social and political change. Everyone begins the decade with hope, energy, and a sense of purpose; however, these qualities are quickly diffused as they each confront their personal responsibility for whatever change comes next. 
History
The Taking of Miss Janie premiered at the Public Theater in 1975 under the direction of Gilbert Moses. 
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups
JANIE
LEN
FLOSSY
RICK
MONTY
PEGGY
LONNIE
SHARON
MORT SILBERSTEIN
  • Time Period 1960s
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 105 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • Intense Adult Themes
    • Strong Language

Media

“Bullins' provocative study of racial relations and African-American identity could not be timelier.” – Backstage

“A metaphor for race relations.” – The New York Times

“Casting a steely eye on the conflicting forces that shaped African-American identity during the era of civil rights integrationists and black-power adherents, Bullins' explosive, unsettling drama is worth a second look.” – Backstage

"Mr. Bullins does not single out his white characters for blame, and Monty is not the only villain. The failure of the ideals of the ’60s, it seems, is just about everybody’s fault." – The New York Times

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance


    This title is available for Licensing Only.

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Authors

Ed Bullins

Ed Bullins

Ed Bullins (1935-2021) was an African American playwright and author whose professional playwriting career began in 1965 with the production of How Do You Do, Dialect Determinism (or The Rally), and Clara's Ole Man at the Firehouse Repertory Theatre in San Francisco. He later ...

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