Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Bartlett Sher directs the second play of August Wilson's Century Cycle.

Story

The play is set in 1911 in a Pittsburgh boarding house owned by Seth and Bertha Holly, a hard-working African-American couple. A variety of interesting characters take up residence, including an elderly “root worker” named Bynum who says he has the power to bind people together. Soon a mysterious man named Herald Loomis arrives, who has traveled from the south with his young daughter in search of his wife. The play’s title refers to Herald’s story of having been held captive by Joe Turner, a white man in Tennessee who pulled African-American men into slavery for a period of seven years.

Should I See It?

What Is Joe Turner’s Come and Gone Like?
Considered one of the finest works in August Wilson’s 10-play Century Cycle, Joe Turner combines a realistic storyline about people striving for a better life with a mystical tale of people looking to find their larger purpose, or “song.” During the play’s three-hour running time, audiences get to know an ensemble of 11 fascinating characters as they go about their daily lives (including several biscuit-and-grits breakfasts) at the Holly home. The production design is inspired by the collage works of artist Romare Bearden, who was a huge influence on Wilson.

Is Joe Turner’s Come and Gone Good for Kids?
The lengthy running time and leisurely pace won’t capture children’s attention, but it’s a wonderful play to share with older tweens and teens as it may open a discussion about identity, the post-slavery lives of African-Americans and racial discrimination. The spectacle of Herald’s voodoo-like possession and the drama of a child’s separation from her mother may frighten very sensitive or younger children.

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