Overview
Synopsis
City of Shadows is the fourth and final play in Daniel David Moses’ series of “city” plays that bridge the supernatural spiritual world and contemporary urban Indigenous experience. Six Indians haunt the edges of the city at night, looking for a way to redeem their past lives. All died in mysterious or tragic circumstances and, by retelling and weaving their stories around each other, they attempt to make sense of their lives and loves, and finally find peace. With innovative use of light, sound, and overlapping lines, City of Shadows closes the door on Moses’ tribute to the realities of an Indigenous family surviving in the fast-paced, big city.
Note: Due to the unconventional, almost musical nature of this play, we highly recommend reading the first plays in the series before City of Shadows: Coyote City, Big Buck City, and Kyotopolis
Show Information
- Book
- Daniel David Moses
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 1995
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- A street in the city in the land of shadows, A reserve between waking and dreams
- Cast Size
- small
- Ideal For
- College/University, Diverse Cast, Regional Theatre, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
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
Term used to describe Indigenous peoples in Canada who are not Métis or Inuit.
Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place.
Videos
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Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher