Overview
Synopsis
Winner of the 1982 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, A Soldier’s Play is a murder mystery that takes a hard look at institutionalized and internalized racism in the U.S. Army during World War II. On the outskirts of a segregated army camp in Tynin, Louisiana, the tyrannical Tech Sergeant Vernon C. Waters is found murdered. Initially written off as an attack by the Ku Klux Klan, Captain Davenport, an African-American authoritative military lawyer, is assigned to investigate the case and begins to uncover an atmosphere of racial hostility within the camp. With mistrust growing on all sides, Davenport faces racial prejudice as he fights to find Waters’ killer. A Soldier’s Play (which was adapted into an Academy Award-nominated film) is an examination of race relations, systematic oppression, and explores the definition of “blackness” in America.
Show Information
- Book
- Charles Fuller
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1981
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- Fort Neal, Louisiana, 1944
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- All-Male Cast, Ensemble Cast, Star Vehicle Male, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mature Audiences, Large Cast, Diverse Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
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
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Emma Houlahan
Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.