A modern-day adaptation of The Scarlet Letter, In the Blood is a searing portrait of Hester La Negrita, a single mother entirely dependent on the kindness of strangers, who in turn are set on taking advantage of her to their own gain. This aspect is only accentuated by having the adult actors who play Hester's children double as influential people in her life (a minister, a social worker, a friend, etc.). Parks uses a familiar landscape and predicament as a foundation for layers of heightened language and storytelling on mythic proportions. From the lady who brought us Topdog/Underdog, expect bold choices and a lesson in allowing broad theatricality to touch the soul.
Characters: 3M, 3W (with doubling) Scenes/Monologues: Are you a black actor, late 20s/early 30s? This play is good news.
Recommended by: Jesica
Also by Suzan-Lori Parks: The America Play Imperceptible Mutabilities in the Third Kingdom Betting on the Dust Commander Pickling The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World Devotees in the Garden of Love Fucking A Topdog/Underdog Venus 365 Days, 365 Plays (upcoming)
