New Play SUMMERTIME ICARUS Part1

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Nov 30, 2000

What follows is a play Selma and I wrote specifically for Black History Month, and while you may say that is a long time from now, plans must be made now. I submit this to you, both to solicit any criticism you may have of the play (or to begin dramaturgical dialogue as I would say), and to offer it as literary freeware, where you can perform the play free if you let us know you're doing it. One playwright once told me when I asked to produce her play that she didn't want to make a fortune and that I could do her unpublished play for eight hundred dollars a show. We would like eight hundred dollars ourselves, but we'll settle for a copy of the program and your comments.

The play is about discovering self and community, in this case black community. James is not content to take anyone's advice as he goes off to find a "real job," but he returns with a better understanding of real freedom and real community than he could have learned from family and friends even if he had listened. Maybe now, he has something to teach them.

Part One contains scenes one through three. Scenes four through seven appear in the second part of this article. The entire play will be published here. When printed from Microsoft Word, the play takes thirty-nine pages.

As always, let me know what you think.

Summertime Icarus
by
Selma Montgomery and Jon Blackstock

Sharice Lance (Mother)—Owns and runs " New Charleston Renaissance Café." Mother to James.

James Lance—High School Junior. Beta Club and Student Council Member.

Alesha Lance—James' sister.

Silvester Reins—Employee at Southern Pride Carriage Company. He has been working for the company for six months, but he appears to be a long-time employee. Wears a black mask.

Davis Lance, Senior—No known relation to the Sharice or James. Runs Southern Pride Carriage Company. Wears a white mask.

Davis Lance, Junior—manager's son. Personnel is among his duties (along with golf with clients). Wears a white mask.

Dominique Parker—James' best friend.

Little Girl—Tourist.

Various Tourists

Loretta—Barn Crew Chief. May wear a white mask.

Benjamin—Driver and tour guide.

Scene 1 At Rise: Just outside the high school. School registration day. James is holding a copy of Dickens' Hard Times.

Dominique: So, man, you weren't even gonna work for your mama at first.

James: No, like I said, I wanted something different.

Dominique: Did it pay better?

James: No, but that's not why—