Only Some of God's Children or Mississippi Magnolias

by Paris Crayton III

Set two days after the 1963 March on Washington, John Malachi Curtis, and his best friend, William Cochise Brown, return home to Mississippi to unpack all of the emotions left over from the March, only to find John's son, Ezekiel, has been attacked during a sit-in protest. Betty, John's wife, wants to leave Mississippi for good but the promise of land and remnants of love makes John unwilling to do so. Only Some...

Set two days after the 1963 March on Washington, John Malachi Curtis, and his best friend, William Cochise Brown, return home to Mississippi to unpack all of the emotions left over from the March, only to find John's son, Ezekiel, has been attacked during a sit-in protest. Betty, John's wife, wants to leave Mississippi for good but the promise of land and remnants of love makes John unwilling to do so. Only Some of God's Children or Mississippi Magnolias is a story of five different flowers just waiting to bloom.

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Only Some of God's Children or Mississippi Magnolias

Recommended by

  • Jim Helsinger: Only Some of God's Children or Mississippi Magnolias by Paris Crayton III
    “

    What a great play! Think August Wilson, comedy/drama, very funny, poignant, tragic, human. One set, 6 actors, very produceable.

    What a great play! Think August Wilson, comedy/drama, very funny, poignant, tragic, human. One set, 6 actors, very produceable.

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Only Some of God's Children or Mississippi Magnolias by Paris Crayton III
    “

    A beautiful (but tragic) look at Black southerners during the civil rights movement. Crayton has deftly balanced characters who are trying to do what's right but don't always know what that is. Very nice work, with fun challenges for actors and designers alike.

    A beautiful (but tragic) look at Black southerners during the civil rights movement. Crayton has deftly balanced characters who are trying to do what's right but don't always know what that is. Very nice work, with fun challenges for actors and designers alike.

    ”
JOHN MALACHI CURTIS: African American, 50s. A strength that can't be measured lies deep within him. If only he could reach it. Holding on to a promise and a secret. Husband of BETTY.

BETTY CURTIS: African American, 50s. Has lived her entire life running. Wants a better life for her family. Is having a hard time believing in beauty. Wife of JOHN.

WILLIAM "COCHISE" BROWN: African American, 50s. Discharged from WWII suffering from PTSD and searching for his place in the world. Husband of HATTIE MAE.

HATTIE MAE BROWN: African American, 50s. A locally known singer who still has the courage to dream. Larger than life who isn't afraid to say what she feels. Wife of COCHISE.

EZEKIEL "ZEKE" CURTIS: African American He plays multiple ages. Thirty and twenty. The embodiment of enough is enough. Is willing to die for what he believes is right. Son of BETTY and JOHN.

BOY: African American. 9 years old. Still full of imagination and believes he can do anything.

Development History

  • Workshop, LOCAL Theater Company, 2026
  • Reading, Sonoma Arts Live, 2023
  • Reading, The Lark, 2018

Production History

Awards

  • Weissberger Awarrd
    Williamstown Theatre Festival
    Finalist
    2024
  • The Judith Royer Award for excellence in playwrighting
    Finalist
    2023
  • The Del Shores Foundation Writers Award
    The Del Shores Foundation
    Runner Up
    2022
  • American Blues Theatre Playwriting Award
    American Blues Theatre
    Finalist
    2022