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The Death of Bessie SmithA play in eight scenes. Edward Albee.Successfully paired in a long running, off-Broadway engagement, with The
American Dream. |
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StoryThe central figure is an intensely arrogant daughter of the South's
crumbling aristocracy who has taken a job as a receptionist in a hospital
to aid her impoverished father. At work she taunts the Negro orderly,
a polite young man eager to improve himself, and is almost equally condescending
to the intern who has conducted a long and fruitless campaign for her
affection. When he turns on her, finally, she vows to retaliate by ruining
his career. Into this bristling situation comes a blood-spattered Negro,
pitifully pleading for medical attention for his lady friend who is outside
in their battered car. They had been in an accident, yet had been refused
aid from one all-white hospital. The receptionist orders him out, but
the intern and the orderly, paying no heed to her, go to assist the woman
outside. When they return to announce that she is dead, and it is revealed
that she was a blues singer of some importance, the White woman's insolence
and superiority are crushed. It is a moment of high emotional impact. |
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