Expanded Short Plays of Zora Neale Hurston, Appropriate for English Class, Black History Classes or Historians

Stephen Peace, award winning playwright, has just adapted and expanded two of Zora Neale Hurston’s short plays into a book called Lawing ‘N Jawing and Judge Dunfunny and the Buffet Flat. He wishes to add to the interest in Ms. Hurston’s work in both the black and white theatre and cultural communities.

(PRWEB) September 30, 2006 -- Stephen Peace, award winning playwright, has just adapted and expanded two of Zora Neale Hurston’s short plays into a book called Lawing ‘N Jawing and Judge Dunfunny and the Buffet Flat. He wishes to add to the interest in Ms. Hurston’s work in both the black and white theatre and cultural communities.

Stephen Peace has been moved by Ms. Hurston’s 1930’s writing and her characters use of old Southern dialect. During the 1930’s it was difficult enough for black man to get published, let alone a black female. One of her books was just recently named as one of the 100 top fiction books all people should read.

Setting: Emma Haylee’s Buffet Flat/ Juke Joint

Expanded version of Buffet Flat:

The Judge and Young Girl enter. The Young Girl is laughing. The judge is wearing a brown fake beard and a hat.

YOUNG GIRL
I swear youse the funniest lookin’ thang. Why don’t you take off that awful beard and hat?

JUDGE
I ain’t supposed ta be here.
He looks around suspiciously.

YOUNG GIRL
Why not?

JUDGE
Cause I tha judge and this place is breakin’ the law.

YOUNG GIRL
How’s it breakin’ tha laws if’ everybody knows it’s here and nobody don’t seem ta care, even you?

JUDGE
That’s jest one of them mystery laws of tha State. They’s them laws everybody knows ‘bout and expects ta get fined over, -- them theys them mystery laws, -- laws that everybody knows ain’t s’posed ta be or happens, but it does, --and nobody done care ‘bout them till they get caught. Them that cares tha least ‘bout them mysteries laws is them that makes ‘em.

Link to Publication in both book form and downloadable: http://www.lulu.com/content/444953

ABOUT AUTHOR
Stephen Peace has had over fifteen years of playwrighting experience and has had his plays performed in the U.S. and Europe. He graduated from State University of West Georgia with degrees in Psychology and a Masters in Counseling. He received a Master in Public Administration from Georgia State and is presently enrolled in the Masters in Communication, emphasis in film at Georgia State University.

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