- Written by
- Shange, Ntozake, American, 1948 - 2018
- Mann, Emily, American, born 1952
- Carroll, Baikida, American, born 1947
- Date
- 1985
- Medium
- ink on paper with metal
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 11 × 8 1/2 × 1 in. (27.9 × 21.6 × 2.5 cm)
- Description
- An original manuscript for Betsey Brown: A Rhythm and Blues Musical. The manuscript is typewritten in black ink on white paper, with a light brown paper cover, and is bound by a silver-colored metal device. Text on the cover reads [OCTOBER 1990] at the top proper left corner. There is text in the center which reads [BETSEY BROWN / A Rhythm and Blues Musical / by / Ntozake Shange and Emily Mann / Music Composed by Baikida Carroll / Lyrics by Ntozake Shange / Emily Mann / Baikida Carroll / Based on an original idea / by Ntozake Shange / COPYRIGHT 1985 c PROPERTY OF / Emily Mann and Ntozake Shange / NOT FOR DUPLICATION]. The first interior page of the manuscript has the musical numbers listed by Prologue, Act I, and Act II and the second page lists the dance numbers for each act. The remaining pages contain the script with lyrics, dialogue, and stage directions. There are 91 pages, apart from the covers. The back cover is blank. The manuscript has several marks, folds, creases, and areas of discoloration.
- Classification
- Documents and Manuscripts
- Topic
- Literature
- Musical Theatre
- Poetry
- Rhythm and blues (Music)
- Theatre
- Women
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Ntozake Shange
- Object number
- 2016.131.5
- Restrictions & Rights
- © Ntozake Shange
- Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




