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Tobacco Road (play)

October 17, 2023

This article is about the play. For the novel, see Tobacco Road (novel). For the film, see Tobacco Road (film).

Tobacco Road is a play by Jack Kirkland first performed in 1933, based on the 1932 novel of the same name by Erskine Caldwell. The play ran on Broadway for a total of 3,182 performances, surpassing Abie's Irish Rose to become the longest-running play in history at the time.[1][2] As of 2023, it was still the 20th longest-running Broadway show in history, as well as being the second-longest running non-musical ever on Broadway.[3]

Tobacco Road
First UK edition (1949)
Written byJack Kirkland
Date premieredDecember 1933
Place premieredTheatre Masque
New York City
Original languageEnglish
SubjectTobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell
GenreDrama
SettingA farm in Georgia during the Great Depression

Productions Edit

Tobacco Road opened on Broadway at the Theatre Masque (now the John Golden Theatre) on December 4, 1933, transferred to the 48th Street Theatre (demolished in 1955), where it ran from July 16, 1934 through September 1934, and then moved to the Forrest Theatre (now the Eugene O'Neill Theatre) where it ran until May 31, 1941 for a total of 3,182 performances.[4]

It was revived three times on Broadway:

  • From September 5 through October 3, 1942, at the Forrest Theatre
  • September 4 through October 30, 1943, at the Ritz Theatre
  • March 6 through March 18, 1950, at the 48th Street Theatre

Tobacco Road was banned in the United Kingdom for many years, finally being licensed for public performance in 1949.[5][6][7][8]

The 1950 revival was staged by the Negro Drama Group, which recast the play with African-American actors, including Powell Lindsay as Jeeter and Evelyn Ellis as Ada. Ellis also directed the production, possibly making her the first African American to direct a play on Broadway.[9]

The La Jolla Playhouse production ran from September 30 through October 26, 2008.[10][11]

The American Blues Theater production ran from May 21 through June 20, 2010.

Plot synopsis Edit

In desolate farm country in Georgia, the profitable tobacco crop has given way to cotton plantations, but poor planting practices have depleted the soil. The Lester family were once sharecroppers, but are now poverty-stricken and unable to cope with the bleak life they face. Jeeter Lester, the patriarch, lives in squalor with his wife Ada, their two children, 16-year-old Dude and 18-year-old Ellie May, and his mother. Ada is suffering from pellagra and Ellie May has a harelip, Jeeter and Dude are thin and emaciated, and the family wears tattered clothing.

Sister Bessie Rice, a stout preacher of about 40, decides to marry Dude, who agrees when she promises to buy him a car. When Capt. Tim Harmon tells the family that the house and property are owned by the bank, Jeeter is given a chance to earn money so that they may keep living there, but he refuses.

The youngest daughter Pearl tries to escape from her much older husband Lov Bensey, but Ada is run over by Dude's car as she attempts to help Pearl. As Ada lies dying, Pearl escapes and runs away; Jeeter sends Ellie May to Lov instead.

Characters and cast Edit

  • Jeeter Lester – Henry Hull
  • Ellie May Lester – Ruth Hunter
  • Dude Lester – Sam Byrd
  • Ada Lester – Margaret Wycherly
  • Capt. Tim Harmon – Lamar King
  • Granma Lester – Patricia Quinn
  • Sister Bessie Rice – Maude Odell
  • Lov Bensey – Dean Jagger
  • Pearl – Reneice Rehan

Critical reception Edit

The play received unfavorable reviews, but gained audiences after ticket prices were cut from US$3.30 (equivalent to $74.6 in 2022) to US$1.10 (equivalent to $24.87 in 2022). The show also toured, becoming "phenomenal" on the road, playing repeat engagements.[12]

Critics differed as to whether Tobacco Road should be seen primarily as a tragedy, a comedy, or a "social document" in the tradition of Zola or Gorky.[13] Brock Pemberton imagined a scientific analysis of the play would reveal "two principal elements are equal proportions of impure, adulterous sex and blasphemous, profane, elemental comedy, with a slight residuum of social documentation."[14]

Brooks Atkinson wrote: "The theatre has never sheltered a fouler or more degenerate parcel of folks than the hardscrabble family of Lester...It is the blunt truth of the characters he is describing, and it leaves a malevolent glow of poetry... As Jeeter Lester, Henry Hull gives the performance of his career. Plays as clumsy and rudderless as 'Tobacco Road' seldom include so many scattered items that leave such a vivid impression."[15]

The play was banned in major cities such as Chicago and Detroit for being sensational and immoral.[16]

Contemporary scholar Jordan Schildcrout wrote: "Tobacco Road remains a challenging play precisely because it doesn't clearly express a single ideological perspective. Are the poor responsible for their own condition, thus relieving the viewer of any sense of responsibility, or is poverty a social and political issue that demands action? Audiences for the play can find conflicting answers to those questions."[17]

Paramount Theater, Omaha, Nebraska, 1937 Edit

  • Tobacco Road, Paramount Theater, Omaha, Nebraska, 1937
  •  

    Exterior view

  •  

    ticket line

  •  

    stage view

Further reading Edit

  • Kirkland, Jack (1961). Tobacco Road: A Play in Three Acts. Samuel French, Inc. ISBN 978-0-573-61680-8.

References Edit

  1. ^ "Long Runs in Theatre" 2010-04-02 at the Wayback Machine, Clair Sedore (2008)
  2. ^ Schildcrout, Jordan (2019). In the Long Run: A Cultural History of Broadway's Hit Plays. New York and London: Routledge. p. 38. ISBN 978-0367210908.
  3. ^ "Longest-Running Shows on Broadway", playbill.com, March 9, 2020 (accessed September 5, 2020)
  4. ^ Schildcrout, Jordan (4 September 2019). In the Long Run: A Cultural History of Broadway's Hit Plays. Routledge. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-429-56039-2.
  5. ^ Somerville, Matthew. "Tobacco Road". Theatricalia. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  6. ^ "'tobacco road' | Between 1st Dec 1949 and 31st Dec 1949 | London, England". British Newspaper Archive. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  7. ^ "TOBACCO ROAD' IN LONDON; Long-Suppressed American Play Gets Mixed Reception". The New York Times. 11 August 1949. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Tobacco Road"[dead link]dead link] 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine sotherans.co.uk
  9. ^ Schildcrout, p. 49.
  10. ^ La Jolla Playhouse schedule 2008-08-20 at the Wayback Machine lajollaplayhouse.org
  11. ^ Jones, Kenneth."Meet the Lesters: Tobacco Road, Paved Anew at La Jolla Playhouse, Opens Oct. 5" 2008-10-06 at the Wayback Machine, playbill.com, Oct. 5, 2008
  12. ^ New York Times, "Tobacco Road Retires Tonight Undefeated", May 31, 1941, p.13
  13. ^ Schildcrout, p. 41.
  14. ^ Schildcrout, pp. 41-42.
  15. ^ New York Times, "Henry Hull in 'Tobacco Road'", December 5, 1933, p.31
  16. ^ Frank, Leah."Shocks Dissipated In 'Tobacco Road' " New York Times, October 13, 1985
  17. ^ Schildcrout, p. 44.

External links Edit

October 17, 2023
tobacco, road, play, this, article, about, play, novel, tobacco, road, novel, film, tobacco, road, film, tobacco, road, play, jack, kirkland, first, performed, 1933, based, 1932, novel, same, name, erskine, caldwell, play, broadway, total, performances, surpas. This article is about the play For the novel see Tobacco Road novel For the film see Tobacco Road film Tobacco Road is a play by Jack Kirkland first performed in 1933 based on the 1932 novel of the same name by Erskine Caldwell The play ran on Broadway for a total of 3 182 performances surpassing Abie s Irish Rose to become the longest running play in history at the time 1 2 As of 2023 it was still the 20th longest running Broadway show in history as well as being the second longest running non musical ever on Broadway 3 Tobacco RoadFirst UK edition 1949 Written byJack KirklandDate premieredDecember 1933Place premieredTheatre MasqueNew York CityOriginal languageEnglishSubjectTobacco Road by Erskine CaldwellGenreDramaSettingA farm in Georgia during the Great Depression Contents 1 Productions 2 Plot synopsis 3 Characters and cast 4 Critical reception 5 Paramount Theater Omaha Nebraska 1937 6 Further reading 7 References 8 External linksProductions EditTobacco Road opened on Broadway at the Theatre Masque now the John Golden Theatre on December 4 1933 transferred to the 48th Street Theatre demolished in 1955 where it ran from July 16 1934 through September 1934 and then moved to the Forrest Theatre now the Eugene O Neill Theatre where it ran until May 31 1941 for a total of 3 182 performances 4 It was revived three times on Broadway From September 5 through October 3 1942 at the Forrest Theatre September 4 through October 30 1943 at the Ritz Theatre March 6 through March 18 1950 at the 48th Street TheatreTobacco Road was banned in the United Kingdom for many years finally being licensed for public performance in 1949 5 6 7 8 The 1950 revival was staged by the Negro Drama Group which recast the play with African American actors including Powell Lindsay as Jeeter and Evelyn Ellis as Ada Ellis also directed the production possibly making her the first African American to direct a play on Broadway 9 The La Jolla Playhouse production ran from September 30 through October 26 2008 10 11 The American Blues Theater production ran from May 21 through June 20 2010 Plot synopsis EditIn desolate farm country in Georgia the profitable tobacco crop has given way to cotton plantations but poor planting practices have depleted the soil The Lester family were once sharecroppers but are now poverty stricken and unable to cope with the bleak life they face Jeeter Lester the patriarch lives in squalor with his wife Ada their two children 16 year old Dude and 18 year old Ellie May and his mother Ada is suffering from pellagra and Ellie May has a harelip Jeeter and Dude are thin and emaciated and the family wears tattered clothing Sister Bessie Rice a stout preacher of about 40 decides to marry Dude who agrees when she promises to buy him a car When Capt Tim Harmon tells the family that the house and property are owned by the bank Jeeter is given a chance to earn money so that they may keep living there but he refuses The youngest daughter Pearl tries to escape from her much older husband Lov Bensey but Ada is run over by Dude s car as she attempts to help Pearl As Ada lies dying Pearl escapes and runs away Jeeter sends Ellie May to Lov instead Characters and cast EditJeeter Lester Henry Hull Ellie May Lester Ruth Hunter Dude Lester Sam Byrd Ada Lester Margaret Wycherly Capt Tim Harmon Lamar King Granma Lester Patricia Quinn Sister Bessie Rice Maude Odell Lov Bensey Dean Jagger Pearl Reneice RehanCritical reception EditThe play received unfavorable reviews but gained audiences after ticket prices were cut from US 3 30 equivalent to 74 6 in 2022 to US 1 10 equivalent to 24 87 in 2022 The show also toured becoming phenomenal on the road playing repeat engagements 12 Critics differed as to whether Tobacco Road should be seen primarily as a tragedy a comedy or a social document in the tradition of Zola or Gorky 13 Brock Pemberton imagined a scientific analysis of the play would reveal two principal elements are equal proportions of impure adulterous sex and blasphemous profane elemental comedy with a slight residuum of social documentation 14 Brooks Atkinson wrote The theatre has never sheltered a fouler or more degenerate parcel of folks than the hardscrabble family of Lester It is the blunt truth of the characters he is describing and it leaves a malevolent glow of poetry As Jeeter Lester Henry Hull gives the performance of his career Plays as clumsy and rudderless as Tobacco Road seldom include so many scattered items that leave such a vivid impression 15 The play was banned in major cities such as Chicago and Detroit for being sensational and immoral 16 Contemporary scholar Jordan Schildcrout wrote Tobacco Road remains a challenging play precisely because it doesn t clearly express a single ideological perspective Are the poor responsible for their own condition thus relieving the viewer of any sense of responsibility or is poverty a social and political issue that demands action Audiences for the play can find conflicting answers to those questions 17 Paramount Theater Omaha Nebraska 1937 EditTobacco Road Paramount Theater Omaha Nebraska 1937 nbsp Exterior view nbsp ticket line nbsp stage viewFurther reading EditKirkland Jack 1961 Tobacco Road A Play in Three Acts Samuel French Inc ISBN 978 0 573 61680 8 References Edit Long Runs in Theatre Archived 2010 04 02 at the Wayback Machine Clair Sedore 2008 Schildcrout Jordan 2019 In the Long Run A Cultural History of Broadway s Hit Plays New York and London Routledge p 38 ISBN 978 0367210908 Longest Running Shows on Broadway playbill com March 9 2020 accessed September 5 2020 Schildcrout Jordan 4 September 2019 In the Long Run A Cultural History of Broadway s Hit Plays Routledge p 99 ISBN 978 0 429 56039 2 Somerville Matthew Tobacco Road Theatricalia Retrieved 2 October 2022 tobacco road Between 1st Dec 1949 and 31st Dec 1949 London England British Newspaper Archive Retrieved 2 October 2022 TOBACCO ROAD IN LONDON Long Suppressed American Play Gets Mixed Reception The New York Times 11 August 1949 Retrieved 2 October 2022 Tobacco Road dead link dead link Archived 2011 07 16 at the Wayback Machine sotherans co uk Schildcrout p 49 La Jolla Playhouse schedule Archived 2008 08 20 at the Wayback Machine lajollaplayhouse org Jones Kenneth Meet the Lesters Tobacco Road Paved Anew at La Jolla Playhouse Opens Oct 5 Archived 2008 10 06 at the Wayback Machine playbill com Oct 5 2008 New York Times Tobacco Road Retires Tonight Undefeated May 31 1941 p 13 Schildcrout p 41 Schildcrout pp 41 42 New York Times Henry Hull in Tobacco Road December 5 1933 p 31 Frank Leah Shocks Dissipated In Tobacco Road New York Times October 13 1985 Schildcrout p 44 External links Edit Tobacco Road at the Internet Broadway Database Tobacco Road at the Internet Broadway Database New Georgia Encyclopedia article on Tobacco Road Archived 2008 10 04 at the Wayback Machine Theatre History synopsisPreceded byAbie s Irish Rose Longest running Broadway show1939 1947 Succeeded byLife With Father Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tobacco Road play amp oldid 1166318685, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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