That Long Tobacco Road Tickets

That Long Tobacco Road is a play written by Jack Kirkland that explores the lives of poor, Southern sharecroppers in the early 20th century. The play premiered in 1937 and was based on the novel Tobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell. It remains a significant work of American theater and offers insight into the struggles of rural communities during the Great Depression.

The play centers around the Lester family, who live in poverty and struggle to survive on their tobacco farm. Jeeter, the patriarch of the family, is unable to support his family and is constantly looking for ways to make money. His wife Ada is sickly and weak, and their daughter Ellie May is forced to turn to prostitution to make ends meet.

Throughout the play, the characters face numerous tragedies and hardships. Their crops fail, their home burns down, and their son dies from pneumonia. These events cause stress and tension within the family, ultimately resulting in their downfall.

One of the primary themes of That Long Tobacco Road is the impact of poverty on individuals and families. The play shows how economic desperation can drive people to make desperate and unethical decisions, like selling one's own daughter for sex. This theme is particularly relevant today as income inequality continues to rise and poverty remains a pervasive issue in certain parts of America.

Another important theme of That Long Tobacco Road is the mistreatment of women. In the play, female characters are often treated as commodities by men. Ellie May is forced into prostitution, and other female characters are objectified and abused. The play highlights the oppression of women during this time period and the societal norms that perpetuated these injustices.

Despite its bleak subject matter, That Long Tobacco Road has been praised for its powerful storytelling and vivid characters. The play has resonated with audiences for decades and continues to be performed in theaters across the country. Its enduring legacy serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by rural communities during the Great Depression and the importance of addressing poverty and inequality in America today.