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The Watsons Go to Birmingham -- 1963 (70-minute manuscript)

"Superb...a warmly memorable evocation of an African-American family."

The Horn Book Magazine

More information

Description

  • Full Length Play
  • Comedy, Drama
  • 70 minutes

  • Target Audience: Teen (Age 14 - 18), Adult, Appropriate for all audiences
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings

  • Performance Group:
  • Community Theatre, College Theatre / Student, High School/Secondary
Ten-year-old Kenny chronicles the events of a fateful summer for the Watson family of Flint, Michigan, in this hilarious and deeply moving story. There's Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and teenage brother Byron, who can't seem to stay out of trouble.

Concerned about this budding juvenile delinquent in their family, Momma and Dad decide it's time for Byron to have a lengthy stay with strict Grandma Sands in Birmingham, Alabama. The family piles into the Brown Bomber and heads south -- toward a horrific moment in American history: the bombing of the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church during which four young black girls are killed.

Mr. Curtis' novel was both a Newbery and Coretta Scott King Honor Book. 
REVIEWS:

"Superb... a warmly memorable evocation of an African-American family."

 The Horn Book Magazine

"Marvelous."

 The New York Times Book Review

"A totally believable child's view of the world."

 School Library Journal

Characters

  • Casting: 7M, 3F, 1M or F
  • Casting Attributes: Reduced casting (Doubling Possible)

Available Material

Name Price
The Watsons Go to Birminghame1963 (70-minute manuscript) Script Order Now

Ten-year-old Kenny chronicles the events of a fateful summer for the Watson family of Flint, Michigan, in this hilarious and deeply moving story. There's Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and teenage brother Byron, who can't seem to stay out of trouble. Concerned about this budding juvenile delinquent in their family, Momma and Dad decide it's time for Byron to have a lengthy stay with strict Grandma Sands in Birmingham, Alabama. The family piles into the Brown Bomber and heads southetoward a horrific moment in American history: the bombing of the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church during which four young black girls are killed. Mr. Curtis' novel was both a Newbery and Coretta Scott King Honor Book. Flexible stage for multiple settings. Approximate running time: 70 minutes.

Also Available: 90-minute playbook

$19.95

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