Black Girl (play) explained

Black Girl
Premiere:	June 17, 1971
Place:	Theatre de Lys New York City
Orig Lang:	English
Genre:	Drama

Black Girl is a play by American playwright J. E. Franklin. It was first produced on public television in 1969, followed by an off-Broadway production in 1971. It was later adapted by the playwright as a feature film that was released the following year.

Plot synopsis

A family drama about a young woman who defies the low expectations thrust upon her and pursues her dream of becoming a dancer.

Television production

Produced by WGBH, Boston in 1969.^[1] The teleplay featured Yvette Franklin, Joan Sandler, Barbara Griffith, and Judy Mills.

Original Off-Broadway production

• Directed by Shauneille Perry
• Produced by New Federal Theatre
• Producers: Bert Beck, Woodie King Jr. and Dick Williams
• Set Designer: Charles Mills
• Costume Designer: Femi
• Lighting Designer: Buddy
• Sound Designer: Gary Harris
• Production Stage Manager: Horacena J. Taylor
• Opened: June 17, 1971 at Theatre De Lys^{[2] [3]}

Cast

• Arthur French - Earl
• Minnie Gentry - Mu'Dear
• Leslie Uggams - Netta
• Louise Stubbs - Mama Rosie
• Kishasha - Billie Jean
• Gloria Edwards - Norma
• Loretta Greene - Ruth Ann
• Stacey Durant - Sheryl
• Troy Warren - Little Earl
• Jimmy Hayeson - Mr. Herbert

Feature film

See main article: article and Black Girl (1972 film).

• Directed by Ossie Davis
• Producer: Lee Savin
• Executive Producer: Robert Greenberg
• Distributed by Cinerama Releasing Corporation
• Opened: November 9, 1972 in New York City^[4]

Cast

• Brock Peters - Earl
• Claudia McNeil - Mu'Dear
• Leslie Uggams - Netta
• Louise Stubbs - Mama Rose
• Peggy Pettitt - Billie Jean
• Gloria Edwards - Norma
• Loretta Greene - Ruth Ann
• Ruby Dee - Netta's Mother
• Kent Martin - Herbert

Other productions

The New Federal Theatre produced a revival of the play during its 1995–96 season. This production was staged by Anderson Johnson.^[3]

On Thursday, May 21, 2009, Black Girl was presented by Legros Cultural Arts in New York City.^[5]

External links

• • Salisbury Post review of play

Notes and References

1. Book: Peterson Jr. (Ed.), Bernard L. . Contemporary Black American Playwrights and Their Plays: A Biographical Directory and Dramatic Index . First . 1988 . . New York, Westport, Connecticut & London . 0-313-25190-8 . 175–1977 . registration .
2. Web site: Black Girl . Lortel Archives:Internet off-Broadway Database . New York City . 2009-11-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071012111308/http://www.lortel.org//lla_archive/index.cfm?search_by=show&id=671 . 2007-10-12 . dead.
3. Book: King, Woodie . The Impact of Race: Theatre and Culture . First . 2003 . Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. New York. 1-55783-579-9 . 249, 255 .
4. Web site: Black Girl . . United States . 2009-11-27.
5. Web site: Black Girl Opening Night May 21, 2009 . Legros Cultural Arts . United States . 2009-12-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101204074222/http://www.legrosculturalarts.org/id76.html . 2010-12-04 . dead.