Follow Me to Nellie's
by Dominique Morisseau

Name: Follow Me to Nellie's
Brand: Dominique Morisseau
SKU: 9780573708602
Rating: 3.75 (4 reviews)

Follow Me to Nellie's Book Cover — Follow Me to Nellie's Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

120 mins1950sRole(s) for Black Actor(s)Unit Set/Multiple Settings

What readers are saying

Readers find a strong historical context in the play, drawing comparisons to August Wilson's work. There are notable theatrical moments that evoke a sense of the past, though some feel the writing leans too heavily on realism.

Strong historical contextStriking theatrical momentsWriting feels too realist

Synopsis

Follow Me to Nellie's takes place in the home of the infamous Nellie Jackson's, where a hopeless blues singer is looking for a way out, a brave freedom fighter is looking for a way in, and a house of downtrodden women are looking for a new day.

In 1955 Mississippi, during the reign of segregation, the price of attaining their dreams may cost them everything.

Dominique Morisseau's play takes a harrowing look at those who risked everything so that all Americans could be afforded the opportunity to vote.

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Na Rose Black woman, beautiful yet awkward, soft, fragile, lyrical, and unsure of herself. An aspiring blueswoman.	female	—	Black woman, beautiful yet awkward, soft, fragile, lyrical, and unsure of herself. An aspiring blueswoman.
Marla Black woman, saucy, sexy, voluptuous, troubled, and vulgar. One of the "gals."	female	—	Black woman, saucy, sexy, voluptuous, troubled, and vulgar. One of the "gals."
Ree Ann Black woman, sensible, steady, dedicated and unyielding. One of the "gals."	female	—	Black woman, sensible, steady, dedicated and unyielding. One of the "gals."
Sandy Black woman, sweet, stunning, spirited, fun-loving, optimistic, and extremely sexual. One of the "gals."	female	—	Black woman, sweet, stunning, spirited, fun-loving, optimistic, and extremely sexual. One of the "gals."
Ossie Black man, handsome, proud, charming, strong, and confident. A freedom fighter.	—	—	Black man, handsome, proud, charming, strong, and confident. A freedom fighter.
Rollo Black man, nervous energy, jittery, talkative, and lovable. Nellie’s oldest friend.	—	—	Black man, nervous energy, jittery, talkative, and lovable. Nellie’s oldest friend.
Tom Jr. White man, handsome, friendly, and eager. An aspiring do-gooder with a troubled heart. Son of the Sheriff.	—	—	White man, handsome, friendly, and eager. An aspiring do-gooder with a troubled heart. Son of the Sheriff.
Nellie (Ainee) Black woman, strong, unflinching, and stern, with a hidden capacity to love deeply. The Madame of the Whorehouse.	female	—	Black woman, strong, unflinching, and stern, with a hidden capacity to love deeply. The Madame of the Whorehouse.