The People Before the Park
by Keith Josef Adkins

Name: The People Before the Park
Brand: Keith Josef Adkins
SKU: 9780573711664

The People Before the Park Book Cover — The People Before the Park Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

120 mins19th CenturyRole(s) for Black Actor(s)Unit Set/Multiple SettingsPeriod Costumes

Synopsis

1856. New York City. The people of Seneca Village, African American and some Irish immigrants, have lived peacefully and away from the corruption of downtown New York City.

However, when the city decides to build Central Park, their quiet hamlet becomes the target of demolition.

One man decides he will not be moved.

Press Reviews

"Informative and absorbing… brings into relief a segment of history and a schism in our path to equal rights."
— Curtain Up

"A new historical drama [that] sifts through the history of Seneca Village, a Black and immigrant community razed for Central Park."
— American Theatre

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Jonas Van Cleef His son, Black, 22, daydreamer, a New Yorker, artist	male	—	His son, Black, 22, daydreamer, a New Yorker, artist
Bridget Donnely Irish, 18, curious, born in Ireland, laborer	—	—	Irish, 18, curious, born in Ireland, laborer
Phoebe Fernandes Lewis Black, 40, New Yorker, daughter of Haitians, teacher	female	—	Black, 40, New Yorker, daughter of Haitians, teacher
Marion Lewis Black, 42, a New Yorker, husband of Phoebe, shoe merchant	male	—	Black, 42, a New Yorker, husband of Phoebe, shoe merchant
Mathius Frackenhinger 22, born in Germany, police officer	—	—	22, born in Germany, police officer
Stephen Van Cleef Black, 42, rough-edged, a New Yorker, oysterman	—	—	Black, 42, rough-edged, a New Yorker, oysterman