Bee-Luther-Hatchee

In Bee-Luther-Hatchee, Shelita Burns, an up-and-coming African-American book editor in New York City, publishes the memoirs of an elderly, Southern black woman named Libby Price, only to discover that the author is not exactly who she seems to be. Libby’s authentic voice and rich though sorrowful life story touch Shelita and readers profoundly. When the book wins a prestigious award and lands on The New York Times bestseller list Shelita decides to take a trip down South to meet Libby, whom she has only corresponded with before, and to deliver the award to her in person. Shelita’s trip ultimately ends up raising many more questions for her than it answers including, perhaps, the most troubling of all – “who owns the story of one’s life?” (The play’s title is a slang term from the 1930’s railroad era for a “damnable place, the next stop after Hell.” It can also refer to an absurd or ironic situation.)