Deep Are the Roots

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Deep Are the Roots is a 1945 play by Arnaud d'Usseau and James Gow about a decorated African-American soldier who has returned from World War II. [1]

Contents

Plot

Brett is an African American who grew up in the home of a former senator as the child of a servant. [1] He has served in World War II and been treated as an equal, and he wants to change the world. [1] He returns to his hometown and begins a romance with Genevra, a daughter of the former senator in a town where his checking a book out of the public library causes controversy. [1]

Production history

The play was first staged on Broadway in September 1945, directed by Elia Kazan; starring Gordon Heath and Barbara Bel Geddes, it ran for 477 performances, closing in November 1946. [1] The New York Times noted at the time that Deep Are the Roots did not "shy away from a problem" – racism in the Southern United States. [1]

The 1947 production in the West End of London starred Heath and Betsy Drake. [2] Earl Cameron subsequently played the lead on tour and in various regional productions. [3]

The play was revived at New York City's Metropolitan Playhouse in 2012. [1]

Adaptations

The play was adapted for Australian radio in 1947 with Grant Taylor. [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Saltz, Rachael (March 11, 2012). "From G.I. Joe to Jim Crow, a Difficult Homecoming". The New York Times. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  2. "Deep Are The Roots | Cast & Crew". Theatricalia. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  3. Philip, Ira (May 11, 2014). "Honouring our film pioneer, Earl Cameron". The Royal Gazette . Bermuda. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  4. Australian Broadcasting Commission. (11 October 1947), "Listeners-as-Critics COLOUR-BAR PLAY PLEASED", ABC weekly, Sydney: ABC, nla.obj-1427029295, retrieved 7 April 2024 via Trove