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Big Blow [Federal Theatre, Works Progress Administration]
Big Blow [Federal Theatre, Works Progress Administration]

Big Blow [Federal Theatre, Works Progress Administration]


Program for the play Big Blow set in Florida’s hurricane country.

The show was produced by the Federal Theatre program under the sponsorship of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and staged at New York City’s Maxine Elliott’s Theatre.

Big Blow is based on the same-titled novel by Minneapolis-native Theodore Pratt (1901–1969), known for his novels set in Florida: “Trading in his Nebraska property for some property in southern Florida,

Wade Barrett builds sturdy homes which are sneered at by the local ‘crackers’ who live in shacks. Also they are suspicious when Wade befriends the African American Clay. When a hurricane wipes out all of the structures except Wade’s, the community begins to look up to him.” (Hischak #450) Wade eventually marries the daughter of the leading “cracker” who had accused Clay of raping her. In fact, Clay had been protecting her from being raped by a “cracker.”

The program is ink-dated November 19, 1938 (its owner has graded the play a C+ opposite the date) and is likely from the play’s original theatrical run. To listen to an archived recording of the play visit The Big Blow WNYC New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News accessed online.


Description: Big Blow [Federal Theatre, Works Progress Administration]

[New York. 1938]. [4]pp. Program. 9 x 5 inches. Soft horizontal crease; numerous light creases from general handling, Very Good.

[3730588]

Price: $75.00

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