Berta, Berta

by Angelica Chéri

Inspired by the legendary prison song "Berta, Berta" that originated on Parchman Farm, Mississippi State Penitentiary, the play Berta, Berta offers a fictional account of the song's origins.

After committing an unforgivable crime and doomed to surrender his freedom, Leroy is granted one final wish: a chance to make amends with his long lost lover Berta. Their reunion swells from a quarrelsome conjuring of the...

Inspired by the legendary prison song "Berta, Berta" that originated on Parchman Farm, Mississippi State Penitentiary, the play Berta, Berta offers a fictional account of the song's origins.

After committing an unforgivable crime and doomed to surrender his freedom, Leroy is granted one final wish: a chance to make amends with his long lost lover Berta. Their reunion swells from a quarrelsome conjuring of the past to an impassioned plot to escape the fate that awaits them.  

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Berta, Berta

Recommended by

  • Joslyn Housley: Berta, Berta by Angelica Chéri
    “

    Luscious and haunting.

    Luscious and haunting.

    ”
  • Evalena Lakin: Berta, Berta by Angelica Chéri
    “

    One of the better new period dramas I've read. This play is HOT in every sense of the word - the sweltering Mississippi night, the fiery debate in which every conversation between Leroy and Berta ultimately ends, and of course, their undeniably steamy chemistry. The poetry of Cheri's writing combined with the effortless way she weaves the original song into her entirely new story gives the text imagery as vivid and electric as her two leads.

    One of the better new period dramas I've read. This play is HOT in every sense of the word - the sweltering Mississippi night, the fiery debate in which every conversation between Leroy and Berta ultimately ends, and of course, their undeniably steamy chemistry. The poetry of Cheri's writing combined with the effortless way she weaves the original song into her entirely new story gives the text imagery as vivid and electric as her two leads.

    ”
  • Jason Parrish: Berta, Berta by Angelica Chéri
    “

    Beautiful, poetic, heart-wrenching, and important. Angelica's use of language is unparalleled, and I cannot say enough good about these characters and this story. This is a unique and magical play that comes from the heart of the American South. This is a play and a playwright to watch. Florida Rep was honored to include Berta, Berta in our 2018 PlayLab Festival.

    Beautiful, poetic, heart-wrenching, and important. Angelica's use of language is unparalleled, and I cannot say enough good about these characters and this story. This is a unique and magical play that comes from the heart of the American South. This is a play and a playwright to watch. Florida Rep was honored to include Berta, Berta in our 2018 PlayLab Festival.

    ”
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