In 1964, James Baldwin (1924–1987) debuted his second full-length play, Blues for Mister Charlie, under the aegis of the newly formed American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA). Directed by Burgess Meredith (1907– 1997), a stage and screen veteran, the story centers on a Black minister’s son, who is shot and killed by a white man. Diana Sands (1934–1973), who would later marry Baldwin’s great love, Lucien Happersberger, was singled out for her performance. Reviewing the piece in the New York Times, the drama critic Howard Taubman wrote: “James Baldwin has written a play with fires of fury in its belly, tears of anguish in its eyes and a roar of protest in its throat.”
Unidentified photographer / Gelatin silver print, 1964 / Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
