August Wilson's Jitney

Full Length Play, Drama / 8m, 1f

Winner! New York Drama Critics Award for Best New Play and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off Broadway Play.

"Explosive... Crackles with theatrical energy." - New York Daily News

Cast Size
8m, 1f
Duration
More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
Accolades
From Off-Broadway
Target Audience
- Adult

Additional Info

Set in 1970 in the Hill District of Pittsburgh that is served by a makeshift taxi company, Jitney is a beautiful addition to the author's decade by decade cycle of plays about the black American experience in the twentieth century.

Accolades

Winner! 2017 Tony Award for Best Play Revival
Winner! New York Drama Critics Award for Best New Play and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off Broadway Play.
August Wilson is the recipient of the 1986 Whiting Award for Drama.

Reviews

REVIEWS

"Explosive... Crackles with theatrical energy." - New York Daily News

"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

"Comic, soulful and immensely moving." - Time Out

"A transport of delight! So vividly written ... it keeps you steadily amused, concerned and moved." - New York Magazine

Videos

Scene 1 from Court Theatre's Jitney
Scene 2 from Court Theatre's Jitney
Scenes from South Coast Repertory's Jitney

Considerations

Performing Groups

College Theatre / Student
Community Theatre
Professional Theatre

License details

Minimum Fee: $100 per performance

Production

Details

Time Period: 1970s
Duration: More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
Setting: Early fall, 1977. A gypsy cab station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Casting

8m, 1f

BECKER - Well-respected man who runs the jitney station. In his 60s
TURNBO - Jitney driver who is always interested in the bus~ of others
YOUNGBLOOD - Jitney driver and Vietnam veteran. Mid-to-late 20s
FIELDING - Jitney driver and fonner tailor, has a dependency on alcohol
DOUB - Longtime jitney driver and a Korean War veteran
SHEALY - Numbers taker who often uses the jitney station as his base
BOOSTER - Becker's son; recently released from prison. In his early 40s
RENA- Youngblood's girlfriend and mother of their young son
PHILMORE - Local hotel doonnan, a reoccurring jitney passenger

See all +

Cast Attributes

Role(s) for Black Actor(s)

Resources

Scripts

Authors

August Wilson

August Wilson (April 27, 1945-October 2, 2005) authored

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Jitney premiered at the Allegheny Repertory Theatre in 1982.

August Wilson's Jitney

August Wilson's Jitney