The Land is Bright
(1941)
By George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber
Cast size: 19 men, 13 women; one interior set
In their desire to rise up the social ladder over the ensuing decades, they encounter challenges to the roots of their fortune, and gradually learn the nature of patriotic sacrifice in order to become true Americans.
Manuscript only; contact: laurence.maslon@nyu.edu
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The Plot
Another dynastic epic from the typewriters of Kaufman and Ferber, but this time with a serious tone and a pointed intention.
The Kincaid family has made its money from some pretty rough-and-ready tactics during the Western expansion of the railroads in the 19th Century. In their desire to rise up the social ladder over the ensuing decades, they encounter challenges to the roots of their fortune, and gradually learn the nature of patriotic sacrifice in order to become true Americans.
As World War II glimmers in the background, Kaufman and Ferber make a case for the duty of all Americans to bond together for a common good.
Other Plays in the Catalogue
Beggar on Horseback opened on February 24, 1924 at the Broadhurst Theatre and ran 224 performances. It was successfully produced in London the following season. A film version with Edward Everett Horton was released in 1925.
Kaufman had always been a Gilbert and Sullivan fan and when a fellow card-player once murmured a bit of doggerel to a bit of HMS Pinafore—"He nodded his head and never said no,/And now he's the head of the studio"—Kaufman was inspired. He used the tunes of Sir Arthur Sullivan and, for the first time in his career, wrote the lyrics as well as the libretto to a new musical.
To the Ladies (1924). By George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly.
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Contact Us Today
Interested in bringing George S. Kaufman’s timeless plays to your stage?
Please refer to the contact information for each specific play on the various collection pages for direct amateur and professional licensing information.
Plays are represented by Concord Theatricals, Broadway Dramatic Licensing, and Music Theatre International respectively
If you are interested in first-class performance or film/television rights:
In the US, George S. Kaufman’s plays are represented by:
CPK Artists, LLC
In the UK, George S. Kaufman’s plays are represented by:
Alan Brodie Representation
For more information about George S. Kaufman or this website, contact:
Laurence Maslon
Literary Trustee, George S. Kaufman Estate
