A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

American Night: The Ballad of Juan José

Full-Length Play, Satire/Political Satire  /  3w, 6m

Richard Montoya

American Night: The Ballad of Juan José is a provocative, irreverent, and hilarious mix of past and present, stereotype and truth.

American Night: The Ballad of Juan José

Request licence
Get the Script
  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 6m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Experimental, Parody/Spoof, Docudrama/History
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • “A lovable hodgepodge of references, historical and pop-cultural, with a deadly serious message at its heart.” – New York Times

Details

Summary
As Juan José feverishly studies for his citizenship exam, his obsession to pass takes him on a fantastical odyssey through U.S. history guided by a handful of unsung citizens who made courageous choices in some of the country’s toughest times. American Night: The Ballad of Juan José is a provocative, irreverent, and hilarious mix of past and present, stereotype and truth.
History
American Night: The Ballad of Juan José was originally commissioned by The Oregon Shakespeare Festival for American Revolutions: The United States History Cycle.
Developed by Culture Clash & Jo Bonney.
Keywords
Performing Groups
1 - JUAN JOSE
2 - MARIACHI BAND/ CROOKED COP #1/ CUOTO/ KYLE THE BEAR/ MEXICAN MAN/ HOBO 2 (LEFTY)/ BOB DYLAN/ ANOTHER MAN IN AUDIENCE/ICE/ MAN IN TURBAN/ SHARK/ FARM HAND/ JUAN CORONA/ RONNIE BURKE/ RABBI
3 - MARIACHI BAND/ CROOKED COP #2/ BORDER PATROL OFFICER/ TEDDY ROOSEVELT/ DONA TENCHA/ HOBO 1 (PANCHO)/ FOLEY MAN (MR. KISHI)/ MAN IN AUDIENCE/ SHERRIF JOE/ SUMO WRESTLER/ CUBAN RADIO/ ABELARDO (JUAN JOSE'S FATHER)/ SECT WOMAN 1/ NEIL DIAMANTE
4 - MARIACHI BAND/ LYDIA/CUEVAS/ SAKAJAWEA/ RIALA (MEXICAN WOMAN)/ RALF LAZO/ JOAN BAEZ/ YOUNG LATINA IN AUDIENCE/ ICE
5 - SKINNY TIE 2/ HARRY BRIDGES/ NICHOLAS TRIST/ LEWIS (EXPLORER 2)/ MAN IN ROBE/ ANNOUNCER/ MADRIGAL SINGER/ ICE/ FIDEL CASTRO/ ABE LINCOLN
6 - SKINNY TIE 1/ JOHNNY/ CALVARY OFFICER/ CALVARY OFFICER BLANCHARD/ ASIAN MAN IN AUDIENCE/ ICE/ GAME SHOW HOST/ SECT WOMAN 3/ WEST VIRGINIA COAL MINER
7 - BEN/ SAINT ADRIAN/ PADRE/ HOP LING/ MADRIGAL SINGER/ JACKIE ROBINSON/ POSTAL WORKER/ AFRICAN AMERICAN AUDIENCE MEMBER 1/ GEORGE WASHINGTON/ SECT WOMAN 2/ STATUE OF LIBERTY
8 - MRS. FINNEY/ CALVARY OFFICER/ CLARK (EXPLORER 1)/ WOMAN IN ROBE/ CAVALRY OFFICER SEGUIN/ WOODY (SINGER)/ ANGLO WOMAN IN AUDIENCE/ ICE/ SPOKES MODEL/ SHARK 
9 - VIOLA/ BORDER PATROL OFFICER/ MADRIGAL SINGER/ EMIT TILL/ AFRICAN AMERICAN AUDIENCE MEMBER 2/ ICE/ BEN FRANKLIN/ CELIA CRUZ
  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting The Stage: A nearly open empty space.
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Gun Shots
    • Strong Language
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Richard Montoya’s American Night: The Ballad of Juan José... is a lovable hodgepodge of references, historical and pop-cultural, with a deadly serious message at its heart.” – New York Times, Read More

“[A] clever, blazing, outrageous satire.” – Talkin' Broadway, Read More

“Fast-paced, gleeful, and sly.” – Los Angeles Times, Read More

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:
Get the Script

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Author

Richard Montoya

Now Playing