Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes’s energetic and frequently farcical play centers on Jim and Dave, a two-man song-and-dance team, and Daisy, the woman who drives a wedge between them. Jim and Dave have been best friends all their lives but when they both start courting Daisy, tensions flare. Finally overcome by jealousy, Jim hits Dave with the hock bone from a mule and knocks him out. Jim is arrested and brought to a make-shift trial by the town’s mayor and self-appointed judge, Joe Clarke. Hilarity ensues, swiftly followed by chaos as the town splits into two opposing factions: the Methodists, who want to pardon Jim; and the Baptists, who are keen to banish him for his crime. As the trial comes to close and Jim is banished from his hometown, Daisy is finally forced to make her choice between the two men. However, her expectations for her future husband bring Jim and Dave to their senses and they return to Eatonville, vowing to never let a woman between them again.

Editor’s Note: This play was written, and is set, in 1930. Its language, use of slang, and turns of phrase (many of which are not commonly accepted today) are consistent with its historical and cultural context.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1991
Genres
Comedy, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Eatonville, Florida, 1930
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters, Large Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Jim Weston

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Dave Carter

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Daisy Taylor

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Joe Clarke

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Elder Simms

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Elder Childers

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Lum Boger

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Katie Carter

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Mrs. Mattie Clarke

Featured

Female

Non-singer

The Mrs. Rev. Simms

Featured

Female

Non-singer

The Mrs. Rev. Childers

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Teet Miller

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Lige Mosely

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Walter Thomas

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Ada Lewis

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Della Lewis

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Bootsie Pitts

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Mrs. Dilcie Anderson

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Townsfolk

Ensemble

Either Gender

Non-singer

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher