Detroit '67

by Dominique Morisseau

It's 1967 in Detroit. Motown music is getting the party started, and Chelle and her brother Lank are making ends meet by turning their basement into an after-hours joint. But when a mysterious woman finds her way into their lives, the siblings clash over more much more than the family business. As their pent-up feelings erupt, so does their city, and they find themselves caught in the middle of the '67 riots.
Detroit '67 is presented in association with Classical Theatre of Harlem and the National Black Theatre.

Detroit '67 was awarded the 2014 Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History

Genres: Plays, Drama, Historical Fiction, Theatre, African American, Race, School

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2013

About the author

Dominique Morisseau is an American playwright and actress from Detroit, Michigan. She has authored over nine plays, three of which are part of a cycle titled The Detroit Projects. She is a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship for 2018.

Reviews

[Tom Romig · Rating 5 out of 5]

The conditions in Detroit in 1967 are the backdrop--almost a character--in this play. I was there and lived through this, so it brought back many feelings, almost none of them good. A persistently racist police force, a woeful lack of opportunity for black Detroiters, and a hot July night combined to ignite the we-can't-take-this-shit-anymore riots. The play captures the mood of the city and its people by focussing on characters who reflect a range of reactions to city life of the times. The first of a trilogy of Detroit plays by the talented Dominique Morisseau.

[Mickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set during the Detroit Riots of 1967 this play is about a brother and sister trying to get ahead in a world that is determined to keep them down. It's about people falling in love in a world that would rather tear them apart. It's about standing up to injustice and leaving your mark. Loved it! Some of the monologues are a bit didactic but otherwise the characters feel real and alive. The relationships between them are clear and I came to really care for them. It's lol funny in some parts and I could hear the Motown music as I was reading the piece and could really see how it influences the action. It would be wonderful to see on stage.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the Detroit Riots of 1967, this slice-of-life play analyses the complexities of race relations between whites and blacks within the context of class and love.

[Aaron Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heavily indebted to August Wilson, especially to The Piano Lesson for its plot machinations if not its spirituality, Detroit '67 is a little too clunky and contrived for my taste. It also has nearly everything of any consequence happen offstage, like the French well-made plays of the 19th century. Further, this play doesn't really have much of anything to say about Detroit in 1967; instead, Detroit operates as a kind of generic setting for black urban life, police harassment, theft, extortion, violence, and murder. But even police misconduct seems generic in Detroit '67. It's a backdrop for a small family drama that also contains the (finally refused) possibility for black identity with working class white folks – a talky realistic drama that isn't a problem play but is really focused on narrative and the audience's emotional release.

[Rachel Pollock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made the mistake of reading this play on my morning commute. At one point I laughed so hard people stared, and at another point I was so sucked into the drama I missed my stop. Then I cried so hard people tried not to stare. I hope I get to see it performed some day.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am thinking of auditioning for this show next week and had not read the script, so I did so this morning.

The first scene of Act 1 is rather heavy handed with set up and "blacks could be something" talk; I felt like it was too overt and SAID rather than shown, but otherwise the writing feels believable. The plot unfolds well and holds the reader's interest. Chelle is the only character that really changes, but Lank and Caroline have some good emotional moments. Bunny is really the only throw-away (light hearted, no real depth) character.

Overall interesting commentary on race relations in America and especially poignant today when we are still (50 years later!) seeing white cop crimes against innocent blacks.

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous play. Morisseau knows how to write pathos in a subtle, yet affecting way, and the lines are just so brilliant and beautiful. I can see how Morisseau was influenced by Wilson; Detroit '67 could be a companion piece to The Pittsburgh Cycle.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenging and thoughtful. Fast paced and smart.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this excellent and heart wrenching play last night with my African American adopted son Davey at McCarter Theater 🎭 in Princeton NJ. Directed by Jade King Carroll. It was so excellent. Couldn’t have been better on Broadway.
The play takes place at the beginning of the Detroit riots, or rebellion as it should be known. Set entirely in Chelle and Lank’s basement apartment. Chelle and Bunny are getting ready for their after hours party 🎉 which they host most weekends to raise money for their little brother’s tuition at Tuskegee College. Lank and his best buddy Sly come in unexpectedly carrying a badly beaten up white girl Caroline a stranger to all of them. They’re very aware of the potential dangers of this Good Samaritan move. But Lank felt he could not leave her lying in the street to die.
Can’t tell you more without giving away the plot.
This play gave Davey and I a lot to talk about. We went over to the Dinky afterwards for drinks. He’s the same age as the actors, living in North Philadelphia and working as a barista at Cosi restaurant.
I’m very grateful to the Princeton Public Library which awarded me the tickets as the first prize in their summer reading program.

[Paul Hankins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the scripts I brought back from the International Thespian Festival. Set during the Detroit riots of 1967, the play focuses on brother and sister, Langston and Michelle, who have recently inherited money after their father's passing. Langston and Michelle try to keep their household afloat by running a "juke joint" out of their home in the evenings. There is some discussion for how the money might be used, but Langston and his friend, Sylvester, see an opportunity in a bar that is for sale. A white woman enters suddenly into the lives of Langston, Michelle, Bunny, and Sylvester and her connection with the local authorities bring everyone a little closer to the impending danger of the riots on the streets of Detroit.

[Isá · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dominique Morrisseau gives us complex characters, history, love, struggle and triumph. Sacrfice and the everlasting persistence to be the best and achieve your dreams no matter what. This play was remarkable, it made me feel so much as a black man. Things I needed to feel while also giving me perspective about how so many things haven't still changed in this world.

[Em Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow. this play is the reason i love paperback. i had to sit there and hug the book after finishing that last page. such engaging characters you can visualize so easily. characters you get attached to. loved the ending too, where things don't work out (just like real life), but you make the most of it. and you forgive. and you love. and you continue living.
wow.
just wow.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extremely well-constructed but completely by the books and unsurprising. Your realism social issues drama set around the riots of '67—an important story to be told, but nothing innovative here outside of the shift in focus onto Black stories (which is, obviously, vital for American theater).

[Kay · Rating 1 out of 5]

The narrative is all over the place, which made it difficult for me to invest in any of the storylines. I struggled to connect with any of the characters because the characterizations weren't clear, and at best one-dimensional. Heavy August Wilson influence here, but sadly, nowhere as brilliant.

[Davin Broadhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

A play with deep characters in which you fall in love with every single one, incredible dialogue, and a heartbreaking and emotional story that keeps you hooked the entire time. Dominique Morisseau is one of the best playwrights of the generation. I can’t wait to read more of her plays.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to educate myself on this pivotal uprising with texts other than Bigelow's film.

[Sherrice Mojgani · Rating 5 out of 5]

the facts of this play are monstorus. the writing is stunning, the representation of women is beautiful!

[Laianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced and touching. Every character gets their chance to shine. A play that could be read or performed in any era and provoke thought. I only wish it wasn’t so short!

[meg]

not sure how to review reading the hard copy of a play honestly but I enjoyed this quite a bit

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow for most of the book, before abruptly picks up its pace and rapidly ending, which makes it a little jarring and weird to read. Overall, good, and recommend it.

[Zachary Pareizs · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little simple and contrived for my liking, but still compelling.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters are so well written with sparkling, heartfelt dialogue. Morisseau's stage directions/descriptions are insightful and delightful to read.

[Grace Liz]

Caroline

[Kelly F · Rating 4 out of 5]

good not spectacular

[Newly Wardell · Rating 4 out of 5]

um talk about having so much to say. Plays with historical angle are usually a miss for me but this is packs a wallop.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartbreaker but a beautiful play. I would very much like to see it sometime. (I can never listen to "Reach Out I'll Be There" again without feeling overwhelmed by sadness).

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75
Read for college

[mengwe · Rating 5 out of 5]

phenomenal 🤎🤎🤎

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, I laughed, I cried, and I felt understood, what more could you ask for?

[Brooklyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required reading for grad school. Good history, pacing & character arcs were off. Not a fav