The play is set in a Pittsburgh boarding house in 1911 and tells the story of the inhabitants, who are part of the Great Migration of African Americans fleeing the oppressive South. The central character, Herald Loomis, arrives with his young daughter, searching for his wife who he hasn't seen since he was illegally enslaved for seven years. The residents of the boarding house are a microcosm of the African American experience of the time, each grappling with their past and seeking a foothold in a new world. The play explores themes of identity, migration, and the African American search for cultural and personal redemption.

In this dramatic play, an unconventional romance unfolds between a French diplomat and a mysterious Chinese opera singer. The diplomat becomes infatuated with the singer, who he believes to be a woman, only to have his perceptions of love, gender, and cultural identity challenged. As their affair deepens over two decades, the diplomat remains oblivious to the singer's true gender and the political espionage at play. The story, inspired by real events, ultimately explores themes of Orientalism, the fluidity of identity, and the devastating consequences of deception and self-delusion.

This collection brings together three significant works by a renowned American playwright, each exploring the universal themes of life, death, and human connection in distinct settings. The first play is a metatheatrical commentary on the everyday lives of residents in a small town, revealing the profound in the mundane. The second play takes place in a purgatorial anteroom where deceased characters reflect on their past experiences and missed opportunities. The final play is a farcical satire set in ancient times, where characters confront issues of fate and free will. Together, these plays challenge audiences to consider the deeper meanings behind their existence and the shared experiences that define humanity.

The play centers around the complex emotional interplay between two central characters: a high-strung, unmarried minister's daughter and a charming, unsentimental doctor's son. Set in a small town in Mississippi at the turn of the 20th century, the narrative explores themes of romantic longing, societal expectations, and the conflict between the spiritual and the physical. As the daughter grapples with her puritanical beliefs and her attraction to the doctor's son, their tumultuous relationship unfolds against a backdrop of Southern heat and repression, ultimately questioning whether true connection can be found in the convergence of the soul and the flesh.

"Lazarus Laughed" is a play that explores the transformation of Lazarus after being raised from the dead by Jesus Christ. Rather than focusing on the miracle itself, the narrative delves into the profound psychological and spiritual change within Lazarus, who emerges from the tomb with an unshakable peace and a contagious laughter, signifying his transcendence over the fear of death. As he shares his newfound enlightenment with those around him, he faces both admiration and opposition, challenging the societal norms and religious dogmas of his time. The play is a philosophical meditation on the meaning of life and death, the power of joy, and the potential for human beings to live free from the paralyzing grip of fear.

The play is a tragic drama set in the 1950s in an Italian-American neighborhood near the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. It follows the life of Eddie Carbone, a longshoreman who lives with his wife Beatrice and his orphaned niece Catherine whom he has developed inappropriate feelings for. When Beatrice's cousins, illegal immigrants from Italy, arrive and one of them, Rodolpho, begins a romance with Catherine, Eddie's jealousy and obsession lead to betrayal and a tragic confrontation that culminates in violence and a devastating conclusion. The narrative explores themes of honor, family, and the struggle of the immigrant experience.

The play delves into the turbulent lives of American soldiers waiting to be deployed to Vietnam from their barracks in Virginia in the late 1960s. It explores the intense emotional conflicts that arise from issues of racism, homophobia, and fear of the unknown future. The narrative focuses on four young soldiers—Billy, Roger, Richie, and Carlyle—each grappling with their own personal demons and prejudices. As tensions rise, the claustrophobic atmosphere of the army base becomes a powder keg of emotions, leading to a violent and tragic conclusion that underscores the devastating impact of war on the human psyche.

The play unfolds in a small Kansas town on Labor Day weekend, where the arrival of a charismatic young drifter stirs emotions and ignites passions among the local residents. The central story revolves around a young woman who dreams of escaping her mundane life and the drifter whose presence challenges the community's prevailing attitudes and leads to a dramatic confrontation. As the town prepares for its annual picnic, the characters' lives intertwine, revealing their desires, disappointments, and the pursuit of happiness in mid-20th-century America.

The play revolves around two mismatched roommates: the fastidious, neurotic Felix Ungar and the slovenly, easygoing Oscar Madison. After Felix's marriage falls apart, he moves in with Oscar, who is also recently divorced. Their contrasting personalities and habits lead to comedic conflict and tension within their New York City apartment, as they struggle to coexist and support each other through their respective mid-life crises. The story explores themes of friendship, the challenges of living with others, and the humorous trials of post-divorce life.

Set in a 1927 Chicago recording studio, the play delves into the complexities of race, art, and the exploitation of Black musicians in the era of the blues. The narrative centers around the fiery and determined Ma Rainey, the "Mother of the Blues," and her band members as they gather to record new songs. Tensions rise between the ambitious trumpeter Levee, who is eager to put his own modern spin on the music, and Ma, who is resolute in her authoritative, traditional style. As the day wears on, the characters' personal grievances and the racial injustices of the time come to the fore, culminating in a climactic moment of violence that exposes the deep frustrations and struggles of being African American artists in a white-dominated industry.

"Seven Plays" is a collection of dramatic works by a renowned American playwright that delves into the complexities of American family life, personal identity, and societal norms. The plays are known for their intense character studies, dark humor, and exploration of the American West's mythos. Through a range of settings, from desolate farms to urban apartments, the anthology examines themes of decay, alienation, and redemption, often through the lens of dysfunctional family dynamics. The playwright's signature use of surreal imagery, unconventional narrative structures, and sharp dialogue has cemented these works as significant contributions to contemporary theater.

"The Dutchman" is a provocative play set on a New York City subway train, where a young African-American man, Clay, encounters Lula, a flirtatious and mysterious white woman. The play unfolds as a tense, psychological confrontation that escalates into a symbolic and violent exploration of racial dynamics and identity in 1960s America. Through their interaction, the narrative delves into themes of race, sexuality, and power, ultimately leading to a shocking and tragic climax that forces the audience to confront the social and political undercurrents of the era.

"Speed-the-Plow" is a satirical play that delves into the cutthroat world of Hollywood movie production, where art and commerce collide. It follows the story of two ambitious film executives who are faced with a potentially career-defining decision when a seductive temporary secretary presents them with an alternative to their blockbuster project, suggesting a film with a more noble message. The play examines themes of greed, temptation, and the moral compromises often made in the pursuit of success, as the characters navigate the treacherous waters of the entertainment industry, each driven by their own motives and desires.

The play explores the premise that everyone in the world is connected to everyone else by a chain of no more than six acquaintances. It centers around a young con artist who infiltrates the lives of a wealthy New York couple, claiming to be the son of a famous movie star and a classmate of their children at Harvard. By spinning a web of lies and charm, he exposes the superficial nature of their social world while also revealing the deep-seated racial and class anxieties that lie beneath the polished surface of their lives. The title refers to the idea that any two individuals are connected by a chain of, at most, six other people, which becomes a metaphor for the interconnectedness of human experience and the illusion of separation in society.

"Fool for Love" is a play that delves into the complex and turbulent relationship between two former lovers who find themselves holed up in a seedy motel room on the edge of the Mojave Desert. As they confront their intertwined past and the deep-seated secrets that have driven them apart, the play explores themes of obsession, identity, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion. The presence of an old man, who observes and comments on the action, adds a layer of mystery and symbolism, while the arrival of another character introduces an external perspective to the couple's intense emotional struggle. The play's raw dialogue and dramatic tension reflect the characters' desperate struggle for connection and their inability to escape the destructive patterns that bind them.

The play follows the life of Heidi Holland from high school in the 1960s to her career as an art historian more than twenty years later. Through personal and professional struggles and triumphs, Heidi navigates the complexities of women's roles in society, friendships, and romantic relationships while trying to find her own sense of self. Set against the backdrop of significant historical events and cultural shifts in America, the narrative explores themes of feminism, the changing status of women, and the quest for fulfillment, ultimately questioning whether true success and happiness are attainable for a modern woman.

"Intimate Apparel" is a poignant play set in New York City in 1905, which tells the story of Esther, an African American seamstress who creates exquisite lingerie for both wealthy uptown wives and downtown prostitutes. As she navigates the complexities of love, empowerment, and the constraints of the social order of her time, Esther dreams of opening her own beauty parlor where black women will be treated as royally as the white women she sews for. Through her interactions with a diverse cast of characters—including a Jewish fabric merchant, her landlady, and a Caribbean man—Esther's tale unfolds, revealing the deeply personal longing for connection and the impact of race and religion on the lives of the characters.

The play unfolds in a bed-and-breakfast in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where a young couple, Jenny and Elias, arrive to stay over the Thanksgiving weekend. Their relationship is tested by the eerie atmosphere of the B&B, the odd behavior of its peculiar proprietor, Mertis, and the presence of her enigmatic friend, Genevieve. As the weekend progresses, the couple's personal tensions and unresolved issues surface, with the intimate setting and the watchful eyes of the surrounding inanimate objects serving as a backdrop to the unraveling of secrets and the exploration of identity, perception, and the supernatural.

"Doubt: A Parable" is a gripping play set in a 1960s Bronx Catholic school, where the principal, Sister Aloysius, suspects the charismatic Father Flynn of improper relations with a student. As she seeks the truth, her convictions are challenged by the uncertainties and moral complexities of the situation. The play explores the nature of belief, the struggle for certainty in a world of ambiguity, and the consequences of acting on convictions in the absence of proof. Through its intense dialogue and powerful character dynamics, the narrative examines the fine line between righteousness and self-deception, leaving audiences to grapple with their interpretations of guilt and innocence.

The play delves into the lives of an African American family in 1930s Pittsburgh, exploring themes of heritage, family conflict, and the struggle for self-identity. Central to the story is a dispute between siblings over an heirloom piano, intricately carved with the faces of their ancestors. The brother aims to sell the piano to purchase land their family once worked as slaves, while his sister insists on keeping it as a symbol of their family's history and sacrifices. Their clash over the piano's future becomes a metaphor for the broader African American experience, examining the tension between the past's painful legacy and the pursuit of a hopeful future.

The book is a raw and unflinching portrayal of life inside a New York City prison, where the racial and social hierarchies of the inmates are stark and brutal. The narrative centers around the arrival of a new prisoner, who is accused of a heinous crime that makes him the target of the other inmates' scorn and violence. Known as "Short Eyes" to the prison population—a slang term for a child molester—the man's presence exposes the complex web of morality, survival, and power struggles that define the prison ecosystem. As tensions rise, the characters are forced to confront their own demons and the harsh realities of the penal system.

"August" is a darkly comic play that delves into the dysfunctional dynamics of the Weston family, brought together by the disappearance of their patriarch in the scorching heat of an Oklahoma summer. The reunion at the family home leads to a turbulent confrontation of long-held secrets, personal demons, and bitter sibling rivalries. As the family's matriarch, who is afflicted with cancer and addicted to pills, faces the reality of her crumbling world, the characters are forced to confront their past choices and the uncertain future that lies ahead. The narrative weaves a tale of a family struggling to find solace and meaning amidst chaos and decline.

"Fefu and Her Friends" is a play that unfolds in the 1930s, centering around eight women who gather at the home of their eccentric friend for a reunion. Throughout the narrative, the characters engage in a series of intimate and revealing conversations that touch on various aspects of their lives, including their personal relationships, societal expectations, and the struggles they face as women. The play is notable for its experimental structure, with the second act taking place in different rooms of the house simultaneously, inviting the audience to move around and experience the scenes in a non-linear fashion. This innovative approach allows for an immersive and personal encounter with the characters' lives, highlighting themes of feminism, friendship, and the complexities of female identity.

The play revolves around the lives of two women who run an all-girls boarding school. Their peaceful and successful life is shattered when a malicious student starts an unfounded rumor that the two women are engaged in a lesbian relationship. The lie quickly spreads, leading to public scandal, financial ruin, and a devastating court case for the women. The narrative delves into themes of lies, malice, the destructive power of gossip, and the tragic consequences that can arise from false accusations and societal prejudices.

The play explores the complex dynamics of the Keller family in the aftermath of World War II, where the patriarch's morally dubious business decisions have tragic consequences. The family grapples with issues of guilt, responsibility, and the true cost of the American Dream when it's revealed that the father knowingly sold defective airplane parts to the military, leading to the deaths of 21 pilots and the subsequent conviction of his business partner. The drama intensifies as secrets unravel, leading to a climax that forces the characters to confront their complicity in the crime and its impact on their family and community.