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Overview
Synopsis
The Trial of Mother Jones is inspired by real events. "Mother" Mary Harris Jones was born in Cork, Ireland in 1837. The dream of a better life brought her to America. As the first female organizer for the United Mine Workers she battled for the rights of American workers until shortly before her death at the age of 93.
It’s 1914, and The Colorado Coalfield War, the bloodiest labor dispute in U.S. history, is raging. A 77 year old Irish hellraiser named Mother Jones issues a call to arms, summoning 500,000 union miners to rise up and fight against a renegade National Guard unit run by Lt. “Jesus Christ” Linderfelt. Her battle cry, “Pray for the dead... and fight like hell for the living!” A few nights later she’s ambushed in a union meeting hall by Clarence Darrow, John Mitchell (U.M.W. President), and John D. Rockefeller Jr., in a desperate attempt to stop her.
During this participatory production the audience assumes the role of the American workers called to this union hall to help decide the fate of Mother Jones, answering a question for the ages: At what point do you pick up a gun and go to war with your own countrymen?
Show Information
- Book
- Roger Holzberg
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2024
- Genres
- Drama, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Period, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- A union meeting hall, Denver, Colorado, 1914
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Gitelman & Good Publishers
- Ideal For
- Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Regional Theatre, Ensemble Cast, College/University, High School, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters, Small Cast
Context
For licensing inquiries and further information, please visit Gitelman & Good Publishers
to read the context for The Trial of Mother Jones and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
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
When an actor breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience.
A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
A scene that happens earlier than the main story, often to enhance that main storyline or reveal important information.
The alignment of a historical event in the past with current reality in order to comment on contemporary life.
A production designed especially to show off the talents of a particular performer.
Videos
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Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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