Lady Washington
Tyler Dwiggins
The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington
by James Ijames
Highlights
19th Century Role(s) for Black Actor(s) Unit Set/Multiple Settings Period Costumes
Synopsis
The recently widowed “Mother of America” lies helpless in her Mount Vernon bed, ravaged by illness and cared for by the very slaves that will be free the moment she dies.
As she begins to slip away, she falls deep into a fever dream of terrifying theatricality that investigates everything from her family to her historical legacy.
Press Reviews
"An extraordinary dark comedy about slavery in America… [a] theatrical discovery of the best kind – a terrific script not to be missed."
— DC Metro Theater Arts
"Ijames has crafted a superbly written, emotionally compelling, and morally challenging play… We are never made comfortable in the world of this play, which looks dead-on at America’s original sin. It challenges by chasing down the guilt of all involved, even the most hallowed and revered of founders. This exceptional new work will have legs to run on for as long as America exists.” – Philadelphia Inquirer“[A] bold and theatrically bright new play… Ijames lets his imagination loose with Miz Martha. The result is a skewered history that, like satire through the ages, has the ring of truth."
— News Works
Characters
| Character |
|---|
| Martha Washington 70 years old. George Washington’s widow. Mother of America. Slave owner. |
| Ann Dandridge Mulatto half-sister of Martha. House slave. Chorus of Negro slaves, part backup singers, part storytellers. Includes: |
| Davy House slave. |
| Priscilla House slave. |
| Sucky Boy House slave. |
| Doll House slave. |
| William 10 to 12-year-old boy slave. Ann’s son. The Visions |
| Abigail Adams New First Lady. Not so nice. Played by Priscilla. |
| George Washington 30 years old. Dead president. Former slave owner. Played by Davy. |
| Mr. Lawyer Man Ethnically ambiguous. Could be anything. Martha’s legal counsel. Played by Sucky Boy. |
| Mad King George King of England. Played by Davy. |
| Queen Charlotte Queen of England. Pithy, game-show spokesmodel type. Think Barker’s Beauties on The Price Is Right. Nice. Played by Doll. |
| Thomas Jefferson Hick. Played by Sucky Boy. |
| Jacky Custis Martha’s son from a previous marriage. William’s father. Raped Ann. Loves to dance. Played by Davy. |
| Betsy Ross Harlot and flag maker. Played by Doll. |
| Sista Lawyer Girl Ratchit. Around the way girl. Very “urban.” Played by Doll. |
| Southern Planter Short. Must have a top hat. Played by William. |
| Southern Belle Must have chest hair and a plunging neck-line. Played by Sucky Boy. A note from the playwright on playing slaves: Slaves in the Antebellum American South were whole, complicated, and complex people. Just. Like. You. Remember this. Thanks! |
| The Players |
Videos
The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington – Steppenwolf Teaser
Publication
The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington is a play written by James Ijames and published by Dramatists Play Service .
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Performance Rights
Available for Licensing
Professional Only
Fee: Minimum Fee: $110 per performance
Restrictions: Major Markets Plus (US) / Standard Plus Add'l Postcodes (UK)
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