The Amen Corner: A Play

OnlyaboypreacherwhohadgrownuptobecomeoneofAmerica'smosteminentwriterscouldhaveproducedaplaylikeTheAmenCorner.FortohisfirstworkforthetheaterJamesBaldwinbroughtallthefervorandmajesticrhetoricofthestorefrontchurchesofhischildhoodalongwithanunwaveringawarenessofthepricethosechurchesexactedfromtheirworshipers.ForyearsSisterMargaretAlexanderhasmovedherHarlemcongregationwithamixtureofpersonalcharismaandferociouspiety.ButwhenMargaret'sestrangedhusband，ascapegracejazzmusician，comeshometodie，sheisindangeroflosingbothherstandinginthechurchandthesonshehastriedtokeeponthegodlypath.TheAmenCornerisaplayaboutfaithandfamily，aboutthegulfbetweenblackmenandblackwomenandblackfathersandblacksons.Itisascalding，uplifting，sorrowfulandexultantmasterpieceofthemodernAmericantheater.