The Mule-Bone: A Comedy of Negro Life in Three Acts

The Mule-Bone: A Comedy of Negro Life in Three Acts, written by Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston in 1931, is a significant work in African-American theater. Set in Eatonville, Florida, the play follows Jim Weston and Dave Carter, two performers competing for the affection of Daisy Taylor, leading to a comedic rivalry that divides the town along religious lines. Notably, the play was not performed until 1991 due to a copyright dispute between the authors, making its eventual debut a landmark event in the history of Black theater. This edition includes Hurston's short story 'The Bone of Contention' and critical essays on the work's impact.