LITTLE MISS DREAMER
(A Nite in the Life of Bessie Smith)
(AKA: Bessie Smith, Empress of the Blues)
By Ed Shockley
A play or a musical. 3 female, 3 male, plus chorus (minimum 2) and piano or jazz band. Unit set. About 50 minutes (2 hours if presented with scripted 2nd act concert).
ABOUT THE PLAY
Now a classic work of Afro-American theatre, the premiere production starring Ebony Jo-Ann, Brel Barbara Clarke and Clebert Ford set a box office record at New York's Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop and won the coveted Audelco awards for Best Musical Production, Best Actress and best Director. The two subsequent box office record setting Chicago runs are a literal who's who of contemporary jazz and blues greats. Odetta, Jean DuShon (Bubbling Brown Sugar), Jefferson Award winner, Sasha Dalton and current blues sensation Valerie Wellington in her stage debut, Little Brother Montgomery, and former Miles Davis musical director Bobby Irving.
Ebony Jo-Ann and the late Neil harris in the Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop (N.Y.) premiere. Photo by Bert Andrews.
SYNOPSIS
Young Bessie Smith is facing her first audience north of the Mason Dixon line. She has already seen them heckle a performer from the stage earlier. She tries to find courage in a jar of moonshine but instead animates the furniture of her dressing room and it leads her back through the challenges and triumphs of her difficult childhood that have destined her for stardom.
Lisa Loud as Lil Bess in Madrona Youth Theatre (Sea) production.
TO ORDER
To request free perusal materials and a production contract for Little Miss Dreamer, go to our online order page by CLICKING HERE.
Amateur rights for Little Miss Dreamer are $60.00 for the first performance and $35.00 for subsequent performances. These prices include the right to print as many copies of the script as your production needs. Professional rights should be negotiated directly with the playwright, who can be reached by email at: edshockley@edshockley.com.
Poster from Theatre Center Philadephia's box office record-setting production.