Thurgood (play)
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| Thurgood | |
|---|---|
| Written by | George Stevens, Jr. |
| Date premiered | 2006 |
| Place premiered | Westport Country Playhouse |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Historical drama |
Thurgood is a one-man play depicting the life and career of Thurgood Marshall. Written by George Stevens, Jr., the play premiered on Broadway in 2008. It was later adapted for television and broadcast on HBO, with Laurence Fishburne receiving nominations for both a Tony Award and a Primetime Emmy Award for his performance.
The production depicts Marshall’s journey from his childhood in Baltimore to his landmark legal work, including arguing Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, and ultimately becoming the first African-American Supreme Court justice.[1]
Production history
The show premiered in 2006 at the Westport Country Playhouse, starring James Earl Jones and directed by Leonard Foglia.[2]
The production featured Scenic Design by Allen Moyer, Costume Design by Jane Greenwood, Lighting Design by Brian Nason, Sound Design by Ryan Rumery and Projection Design by Elaine J. McCarthy.[2]
The play then transferred to Broadway at the Booth Theatre on April 30, 2008, starring Laurence Fishburne.[3]The production received positive reviews, with New York Times theatre critic Charles Isherwood calling it "surprisingly absorbing, at times even stirring" and "uplifting."[4] For his role as Marshall, Fishburne was nominated for the 2008 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play, along with winning a Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for solo performance. The production closed on August 17, 2008, after 126 performances and 19 previews.[5]
On February 24, 2011, HBO screened a filmed version of the play which Fishburne had performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The production was described by the Baltimore Sun as "one of the most frank, informed and searing discussions of race you will ever see on TV."[6][7] On February 16, 2011, a screening of the film was hosted by the White House as part of its celebrations of Black History Month.[8][9] Fishburne was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his performance that same year.[10]
Awards and nominations
2008 Broadway production
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Tony Award | Best Actor in a Play | Laurence Fishburne | Nominated | [11] |
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Solo Performance | Won | [12] | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding Solo Performance | Won | [13][14] | ||
| Drama League Award | Distinguished Production of a Play | Nominated | [15] | ||
2011 Film
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie | Laurence Fishburne | Nominated | [16] |
