Sundown Town

by Marcus Scott

“Sundown Town” follows two newly-minted sophomore students fresh from their first year at university who have returned home in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under quarantine and taking shelter within their homes, just as these two sexually curious and sexually-active young men hop online to unleash their carnal desires, news of a horrific incident prompts them to not only ask questions about the worth of...

“Sundown Town” follows two newly-minted sophomore students fresh from their first year at university who have returned home in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under quarantine and taking shelter within their homes, just as these two sexually curious and sexually-active young men hop online to unleash their carnal desires, news of a horrific incident prompts them to not only ask questions about the worth of the black body in America, but also its endurance. Premiered at the Abingdon Theatre Company's Virtual Festival Of Short Plays.

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Sundown Town

Recommended by

  • Seth McNeill: Sundown Town

    A Zoom play that actually makes effective use of the form (though it works in front of a live audience as well). What starts as a sex comedy ends with a beautiful moment of human connection, a moment of hope transcending horror. As usual with Scott's work, his characters speak with a hyper-intelligence that weaves the intellectual with the poetic. A healthy dose of pop culture jokes and sexual innuendo entertain and at the same time make the impact of the heavy subject matter more acute.

    A Zoom play that actually makes effective use of the form (though it works in front of a live audience as well). What starts as a sex comedy ends with a beautiful moment of human connection, a moment of hope transcending horror. As usual with Scott's work, his characters speak with a hyper-intelligence that weaves the intellectual with the poetic. A healthy dose of pop culture jokes and sexual innuendo entertain and at the same time make the impact of the heavy subject matter more acute.

  • Jan Probst: Sundown Town

    This beautifully nuanced story underscores the connection between two young men trying to find their way in a country that continually threatens their very existence. The heartbreaking and tragically relevant history of a Sundown Town is all too real for these young black men, failed by the very institutions that should offer refuge and support. This play needs to be staged.

    This beautifully nuanced story underscores the connection between two young men trying to find their way in a country that continually threatens their very existence. The heartbreaking and tragically relevant history of a Sundown Town is all too real for these young black men, failed by the very institutions that should offer refuge and support. This play needs to be staged.

  • Jasmine Spiess: Sundown Town

    This play is so heartbreaking on so many levels… Two men trying to connect, trying to find solace in each other, but also acknowledging the harsh realities of being a person of color in the US. One of the most poignant parts for me was hearing the vivid dreams and that they were all real, leading to the metaphor of America as a “Sundown Town”. This is brilliant and brave work that should be widely produced. Congrats on your workshop at VTC!

    This play is so heartbreaking on so many levels… Two men trying to connect, trying to find solace in each other, but also acknowledging the harsh realities of being a person of color in the US. One of the most poignant parts for me was hearing the vivid dreams and that they were all real, leading to the metaphor of America as a “Sundown Town”. This is brilliant and brave work that should be widely produced. Congrats on your workshop at VTC!

View all 6 recommendations

Development History

Production History

  • Type Community Theater, Organization New Circle Theatre Company, Year 2021
  • Type Fringe, Organization Downtown Urban Arts Festival, Year 2021
  • Type Fringe, Organization Theatre West, Year 2021

Awards

  • Fitting Out! A Diverse Playwrights Festival
    Theater West
    Winner
    2021
  • L.B. Williams Playwriting Contest for BIPOC Writers
    New Circle Theatre Company
    Winner
    2021