The River Niger

This article is about the play. For the film based on the play, see The River Niger (film). For the river in Africa, see Niger River.

The River Niger is a play by Joseph A. Walker, first performed by New York City's Negro Ensemble Company off-Broadway in 1972. The production made its Broadway debut with a transfer to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 27 March 1973 for a run of 162 performances. Titled after the West African river, The River Niger sits squarely with the African centered aspirations of the Black Arts Movement.

The River Niger
Written by	Joseph A. Walker
Date premiered	05 December 1972
Place premiered	Negro Ensemble Company St. Mark's Playhouse New York City
Original language	English
Subject	a son returns home not the hero and militant anticipated
Genre	Drama
Setting	Harlem, New York, present day

Characters

• Mattie Williams
• Johnny Williams
• Dr. Dudley Stanton
• Jeff Williams
• Ann Vanderguild
• Big Moe Hayes
• Al
• Chips
• Skeeter
• Gail
• Wilhelmina Brown

Adaptations

Main article: The River Niger (film)

The play was adapted by Walker for film in 1976, directed by Krishna Shah starring Cicely Tyson and James Earl Jones.

Awards and nominations

Awards

• 1973 Drama Desk Award for Most Promising Playwright – Joseph A. Walker
• 1973 Obie Award for Best American Play
• 1974 Tony Award for Best Play

Nominations

• 1974 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play – Douglas Turner Ward
• 1974 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play – Roxie Roker

External links

• ​The River Niger​ at the Internet Broadway Database The River Niger play
• Original Off-Broadway Production
• ​The River Niger​ at the Internet Broadway Database Original Broadway Production
• The River Niger (1976 film) at IMDb