Lessons From The Amsterdam News (excerpt)

Synopsis:

In late 1944, a 17-year-old Sidney Poitier was working as a dishwasher in a New York restaurant.

Barely able to survive, he went for an audition at the American Negro Theatre, but was thrown out when they discovered he was barely literate.  (He had been brought up in extreme poverty, and had only had two years of schooling.)

An elderly Jewish waiter became aware of Sidney’s problem and offered to read the daily news with Sidney at the end of each evening shift.

Over the months, as Sidney slowly mastered the written word, the two men formed a bond.

The rest is history.

Character Breakdown:

The play is a 2-hander:  2 males
SIDNEY 17 (Black)
BARNEY 65 (White)

Production Note:

SIDNEY speaks with a strong Bahamian accent and rhythm which, over the course of the play, gradually transforms to a controlled, ‘educated’ American English.

BARNEY speaks with a light German accent.

The play is set in late 1944 – early 1945 in the kitchen of a Harlem restaurant (NY).

Running-time: 80 minutes.

Production History:  Not yet produced.

Excerpt available for download for free.