Blue
by Charles Randolph-wright, Nona Hendryx

Name: Blue
Brand: Charles Randolph-wright
SKU: 9780573628085
Rating: 4 (3 reviews)

Off-Broadway

Highlights

Medium Cast

Female

Male

1990sRole(s) for Black Actor(s)Unit Set/Multiple SettingsPeriod CostumesAmerican Comedy

What readers are saying

Readers appreciate the inviting and genuine nature of the characters in the play. They find the central figure, Peggy Clark, relatable and engaging, making the audience feel connected throughout the performance.

Engaging and relatable charactersWarm and inviting atmosphereLacks a strong central conflict

Synopsis

Using music as an integral part of the storytelling, Blue spans nearly twenty years in the life of the affluent African American Clark family in rural South Carolina.

Events are seen through the eyes of the eldest son Reuben, who evolves from a preteen trumpet player into an adult artist.

His mother, a relentlessly chic matriarch with dark secrets who is out of place in the her provincial surroundings, holds court at family gatherings.

She lays out grandiose plans for her two sons while the mesmerizing music of sexy jazz singer Blue Williams adds a unique dimension.

Meanwhile, her husband runs a profitable funeral home, grandmother offers unsolicited advice and Ruben's brother runs with the girls.

This humorous family portrait abounds with tenderness, acceptance and the search for unconditional love while introducing audiences to an African American family the likes of which is seldom portrayed on stage or screen.

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Reuben Clark Peggy’s 12-year-old son, extremely bright and wise beyond his years.	male	—	Peggy’s 12-year-old son, extremely bright and wise beyond his years.
Sam Clark Iii Peggy’s 17-year-old son, rebellious, in a constant battle with his mother.	female	—	Peggy’s 17-year-old son, rebellious, in a constant battle with his mother.
Samuel Clark, Jr. Early 40s, Peggy’s husband, elite, soft- spoken, a businessman.	male	40s	Early 40s, Peggy’s husband, elite, soft- spoken, a businessman.
Tillie Clark 60s, Samuel’s mother, irascible, caustic.	female	60s	60s, Samuel’s mother, irascible, caustic.
Latonya Dinkins 17, Sam’s girlfriend from the “other side of the tracks.”	—	—	17, Sam’s girlfriend from the “other side of the tracks.”
Blue Williams A jazz singer.	—	—	A jazz singer.
Reuben Clark 27, the adult version.	—	—	27, the adult version.
Blue Jr. Blue’s 12-year-old son (the same actor who plays young Reuben).	—	—	Blue’s 12-year-old son (the same actor who plays young Reuben).
Peggy Clark 39, ambitious, intelligent, stunning, absolutely nothing will stand in her way.	female	—	39, ambitious, intelligent, stunning, absolutely nothing will stand in her way.