Bleeding Kansas
by Kathryn Walat

Name: Bleeding Kansas
Brand: Kathryn Walat
SKU: 9780573699153
Rating: 3.71 (6 reviews)

Bleeding Kansas Book Cover — Bleeding Kansas Cover

Highlights

Small Cast

Female

Male

105 minsWild WestEnsemble CastUnit Set/Multiple SettingsPeriod CostumesAmerican Historical Comedy

What readers are saying

Readers feel that the play lacks authenticity and fails to accurately depict the setting of Kansas. One reviewer expresses skepticism about the playwright's understanding of the region.

Lacks authenticityMisrepresents Kansas culture

Synopsis

Historical DramaCharacters: 3 male, 2 femaleIt's 1855, Kansas Territory.

The country is divided.

People are turning against their neighbors because of their beliefs.

War is on the horizon.

Good people will do bad things and love will grow in places it shouldn't.

A provocative, funny and insightful play revisits a crucial moment in American history.

Homesteading farmers George and Kitty fight the elements to start a new life as a politically divided country takes a dangerous step towards civil war."To Walat's credit, her fast-moving play does not preach, merely raises questions, among them: Who are we as a nation?

What shaped us and why?

And does what we were-violent, intractable and destructive-play into our present-day society?...Bleeding Kansas is an excellent work" -San Diego News

ThemesHistory Farmers Farmers--Kansas--Drama PS3545.A4325 B54 2011

Press Reviews

"To Walat's credit, her fast-moving play does not preach, merely raises questions, among them: Who are we as a nation? What shaped us and why? And does what we were—violent, intractable and destructive—play into our present-day society?...Bleeding Kansas is an excellent work." –San Diego News“Kathryn Walat has delivered a powerful play. Bleeding Kansasis a gut-wrenching, tear-jerking drama that grabs the emotions. Its story offers plenty of parallels to present-day political and ethical issues but it doesn’t hit us over the head with them. Its characters aren’t Brechtian archetypes but believable flesh-and-blood human beings for whom we root and with whom we suffer.” –Zenger’s Newsmagazine“Bleeding Kansas offers a fascinating look at a largely unknown chapter of American history, and it does it from a very human perspective. That the prejudices and divisions it portrays mirror what’s going on in America today make it especially timely.” – North County Times“In this fresh new play, Kate "
— Ithaca Journal

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Edwin Redpath Aka Red A pro-slavery “Border Ruffian” from Missouri.	—	—	A pro-slavery “Border Ruffian” from Missouri.
Kittson Clarke A headstrong woman following her husband George.	female	—	A headstrong woman following her husband George.
George Clarke A free-state farmer from Indiana.	—	—	A free-state farmer from Indiana.
Josiah Nichols A pro-slavery farmer from Missouri.	—	—	A pro-slavery farmer from Missouri.
Other Men Played by the actors who play Red, George, and Josiah, as indicated.	—	—	Played by the actors who play Red, George, and Josiah, as indicated.
Hannah Rose Allen A young abolitionist from Boston.	—	—	A young abolitionist from Boston.