A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

J.B.

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  9w, 12m

Archibald MacLeish

Winner! 1959 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Winner! 1959 Tony® Award, Best Play

"A fresh and exalting morality that has great stature. It is one of the memorable works of the century as verse, as drama and as spiritual inquiry...We are deep in the unanswered problems of man's relationship to God in an era of cruel injustices. J.…

J.B.

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    9w, 12m
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Faith-based
  • Suggested Use
    • Cutting Approved for Competition
    • UIL Approved
    • Competition or audition material
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 1959 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
    Winner! 1959 Tony® Award, Best Play

Details

Summary
A fresh and exalting morality that has great stature. It is one of the memorable works of the century as verse, as drama and as spiritual inquiry...We are deep in the unanswered problems of man's relationship to God in an era of cruel injustices. J.B. is Mr. MacLeish's counterpart of the immortal Job. The glory of the play is that, as in the Book of Job, J.B. does not curse God. When he is reunited with his wife, two humbled but valiant people accept the universe, agree to begin life all over again, expecting no justice but unswerving in their devotion to God... In every respect, it is theatre on its highest level.-The New York Times
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups

MR. ZUSS - a balloon vendor in the circus who assumes the role of God
NICKLES - a popcorn vendor in the circus who assumes the role of Satan
J.B. - based on the biblical character Job, a man confronted by many tests of his faith in God
SARAH - J.B.'s wife, not as confident in God as J.B.
DAVID - son of J.B. and Sarah, 13
JONATHAN - son of J.B. and Sarah, 10 
MARY - daughter of J.B. and Sarah, 12
RUTH - daughter of J.B. and Sarah, 8
REBECCA - daughter of J.B. and Sarah, 6
FIRST MESSENGER
SECOND MESSENGER
GIRL - stylishly dressed
JOLLY - a young girl
BILDAD - a squat, thick man
ZOPHAR - a fat, red-faced man
ELIPHAZ - lean and dark
MRS. ADAMS
MRS. MURPHY
MRS. LESURE
MRS. BOTTICELLI
A DISTANT VOICE - an anonymous voice that prompts the action in the play

  • Time Period Greek; Roman & Biblical
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

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Archibald MacLeish

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