Ohio State Murders
Ohio State Murders is a play written by Adrienne Kennedy. The play was first published on January 14, 1991. Plot Ohio State Murders is a one-act play that revolves around racism, misogyny, and young adulthood. The play focuses on the life of Suzanne Alexander, a college student at Ohio State University from 1949 to 1950. As she goes back to her alma mater as a renowned Black author to speak, Suzanne addresses the reasons why she uses "violent" images in her works. This query gives Suzanne the platform to fully speak about her trauma experienced as a black woman at Ohio State University and the murder of her daughters Cathi and Carol by her professor, and father of her children, Robert Hampshire. Suzanne is faced with systemic racism through the education system and peers, sexism by her professor and police, and internalized racism from her family members and a powerful crafted portrayal of Alexander's isolation and glass ceiling at Ohio State in the 1950s is presented by Kennedy. Characters Suzanne Alexander — Writer and Ohio State University alumna Robert Hampshire — English professor at Ohio State University Iris Ann — Suzanne’s roommate at Ohio State David Alexander — Suzanne’s husband and former law student at Ohio State Val — Suzanne’s acquaintance Aunt Lou — Suzanne’s aunt who cares for her after the birth of her children Mrs. Tyler — A widow that provided lodging to Suzanne in Columbus Cathi & Carol — Suzanne’s baby twin daughters Patricia "Bunny" Manley — Suzanne's racist dorm neighbor at Ohio State Productions The play was first performed January 14 – February 9, 1991, at Yale Repertory Theatre's Winterfest, starring Olivia Cole and premiered at the Great Lakes Theater Festival on March 7, 1992, in a production directed by Gerald Freedman and Mary Bill. Despite not coming to Broadway until 2022, Its New York debut was off Broadway at the Duke on 42nd Street, Theatre for a New Audience on October 27, 2007, directed by Evan Yionoulis and starring LisaGay Hamilton. In 2021, the play was announced to be second of a three-part live series that would be held at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. It officially opened on Broadway in December 2022 as the first production in the restored James Earl Jones Theatre. The production, directed by Kenny Leon and starring Audra McDonald, marked the playwright's Broadway debut at the age of 91. On January 5, 2023, it was announced that the show would close on January 15 after being initially scheduled to close on February 12. Audra McDonald received a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her role. Background Ohio State Murders is part of a series of plays by Adrienne Kennedy called "Alexander Plays". These plays are connected due to the recurring character, Suzanne Alexander. The plays are noted for their themes of infanticide and troublesome pregnancies. Kennedy was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Her and her family were of the