39 pages • 1 hour read
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210
Play • Fiction
Chicago, Illinois • 1950s
2010
Adult
18+ years
Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris explores the events before and after Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, focusing on the same house in Chicago's evolving Clybourne Park neighborhood. Act One in 1959 features Russ and Bev selling their home to the Younger family amidst racial tension. Act Two, set in 2009, involves a dispute between new white homeowners and the predominantly Black housing association, highlighting issues of gentrification and racial misunderstandings. The play addresses themes of race, class, gender, and other forms of marginalization, such as mental health, and uses dark humor and rapid dialogue to navigate sensitive conversations about identity and urban development.
Dark
Challenging
Humorous
Emotional
Suspenseful
3,884 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Bruce Norris's Clybourne Park masterfully tackles themes of race and real estate over two acts set 50 years apart. Critics praise its sharp wit, strong performances, and poignant social commentary. However, some find its confrontational tone and abrupt shifts in time distracting. Nonetheless, it remains an essential and thought-provoking exploration of cultural and racial tensions.
Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris will captivate readers who appreciate sharp, societal critiques and complex character dynamics, similar to those in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun and Tracy Letts’ August: Osage County. Fans of contemporary dramas exploring race, class, and housing will find it particularly engaging.
3,884 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Russ
A white man in his late 40s dealing with depression following his son's suicide. His disillusionment with the community and grief preoccupy him.
Francine
A black woman in her 30s, who works as Russ and Bev's maid. She is polite, professional, and largely keeps her opinions to herself at work.
Karl and Betsy Lindner
Karl is a white man in his 30s, with a tendency to meddle in community affairs, while his wife, Betsy, is pregnant and hearing impaired.
Jim
A well-intentioned white clergyman in his late 20s, attempting to offer emotional support to Russ.
Steve and Lindsey
A white couple in their 30s, intending to rebuild and expand a house in the neighborhood. Their actions stir responses regarding race and gentrification.
Lena and Kevin
A black couple in their 30s concerned about gentrification in their neighborhood. Lena is more assertive, while Kevin is initially more laid-back.
Kenneth
Russ and Bev's son, a white man in his 20s, who served in the military and struggled after returning to civilian life.
Kathy and Tom
Kathy is linked to the Lindners as their daughter and is a lawyer for Steve and Lindsey. Tom is Kevin and Lena's lawyer, trying to maintain order in discussions.
Albert
Francine's husband, a black man in his 30s, who offers assistance to Russ and Bev and acts as a peacemaker.
Dan
A tactless white construction worker in his late 40s who disruptively engages with others during the house's renovations.
210
Play • Fiction
Chicago, Illinois • 1950s
2010
Adult
18+ years
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