Smart People
by Lydia R. Diamond

Name: Smart People
Brand: Lydia R. Diamond
SKU: 9780573704864
Rating: 3.75 (8 reviews)

Off-Broadway

Smart People Book Cover — Smart People Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

120 minsPresent DayRole(s) for Asian Actor(s)Role(s) for Black Actor(s)Unit Set/Multiple SettingsContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesComedy

What readers are saying

Readers generally appreciate the thought-provoking themes of Lydia R. Diamond's play, especially its exploration of race and identity. Many find the fragmented storytelling engaging and commend the characters' complexities, though some criticize the oversimplification of social issues. The play's provocative nature sparks discussion and reflection among audiences, making it a memorable experience for many.

Thought-provoking themesEngaging storytellingComplex charactersOversimplification of social issues

Synopsis

It is the eve of Obama’s first election.

Four of Harvard University’s brightest; a surgeon, an actress, a psychologist, and a neuro-psychiatrist, are all interested in different aspects of the brain, particularly how it responds to race.

But like all smart people, they are also searching for love, success, and identity in their own lives.

Lydia Diamond brings these characters together in this sharp, witty play about social and sexual politics.

Press Reviews

"Crisp and clever dialogue...Smart People is very funny because it reflects a very sympathetic human foible; the desire to resolve our racial conflicts without messing things up every time we open our mouths."
— Broadwayworld.com

"Smart People is a great ride; I loved every talky minute of it."
— Deadline

"Splendid! Diamond...draw[s] laughs even as she firmly pushes back against the notion that we’re living in a ‘post-racial society."
— Boston Globe

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Jackson Moore 28, African American. Harvard Med School. Surgical Intern on Rotation.	—	—	28, African American. Harvard Med School. Surgical Intern on Rotation.
Brian White 36-42, White. Tenured professor at Harvard. Neuro-psychiatrist. Studies patterns of racial identity and perceptions.	—	36-42	36-42, White. Tenured professor at Harvard. Neuro-psychiatrist. Studies patterns of racial identity and perceptions.
Ginny Young 34-40, Chinese-Japanese American. No accent. Only speaks English. Respected tenured professor of psychology at Harvard. Studies race and identity among Asian American women.	—	34-40	34-40, Chinese-Japanese American. No accent. Only speaks English. Respected tenured professor of psychology at Harvard. Studies race and identity among Asian American women.
Valerie Johnston 24, African American. Recently graduated A.R.T. Acting MFA.	—	—	24, African American. Recently graduated A.R.T. Acting MFA.