Home (1987)

“Home”, written by Samm-Art Williams, is presented in the style of “story theatre” in which the central character talks directly to the audience. It unfolds the story of a young southern Black man’s life, how he lost the things he held dearest to him and his struggle to regain them. It tells the story of Cephus Miles from his early days in a place called Cross Roads in North Carolina until he returns after spending a time in jail for draft dodging and some years in the bright lights of the Big City. During his personal odyssey, the central character is drawn into a conflict of conscience that says much about some of the deep rooted dilemmas of America in recent years. “Home,” however, is not provincial. It has an universal appeal. It is a modern morality play with a happy ending. It had a long and successful run on Broadway and received a Tony Award nomination for Best Play of 1980 and the Audelco Award for Best Play of 1980. Since then, “Home” has gone on national and international tours with the Negro Ensemble Company.