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2.1.16: "The Beggars' Strike", 1999-2002, and undated

 Sub-Series

Scope and Contents

Contains various drafts of playscripts, Brown's handwritten notes, sheet music with lyrics, photocopy of book,The Beggars' Strike by Aminata Sow Fall, press releases and play reviews, newspaper articles, color photocopied images of stage production and costume designs, playbills and rack cards.

Dates

  • Creation: 1999-2002, and undated

Creator

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Extent

From the Collection: 19.18 linear feet (46 legal size boxes)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Abstract

"The Beggars' Strike tells the story of an Islamic West African community caught between the pressures of traditional and contemporary values. The government wants to increase tourist, as a source of revenue and thinks in order to do so they must rid the city streets of the ragged beggars. But the beggars are essential to the spiritual life of the community, and they know it. They deliver the prayers of the people to God. As the government plans to remove the city beggars, all them decide to strike. What follows is an avalanche of mistaken identities, hilarious chaos, and befuddled orders. The play displays the complexities of human nature, and is punctuated with exhilarating West African music, ranging from prayerful to playful."

This play is adapted from the novel by Aminata Sow Fall; book and lyrics by Carlyle Brown; music composed by Fabian Obispo. Performed for The Children's Theatre Company of Minneapolis.

Repository Details

Part of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Repository

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