At an event before her play's premiere in 1986, Toni Morrison surprised attendees with her presence despite expectations of her absence due to nerves. Known primarily for her novels, Morrison was ready to present her first full-length play, deeply rooted in the historical tragedy of Emmett Till's murder. The play aimed to address complex themes of race, history, and gender, reflecting her ambition to explore beyond traditional literary forms. Morrison's journey included prior unsuccessful attempts in musical theater, yet she remained undeterred in her creative explorations.
"I thought it was an extraordinary theatrical idea, a way to handle history. A way to talk about all sorts of collisions, of fixed ideas and attitudes..."
"You're supposed to be nervous," someone shouted. "I am," Toni Morrison replied.
The production, New Orleans: The Storyville Musical, had not, alas, been a success. Public Theater founder Joseph Papp staged readings in New York City, but that's as far as it went.
This production was closer to her heart, as it had originated from an incident she'd been thinking about for three decades: the murder of Emmett Till.
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