The River Niger

The River Niger is a play by Joseph A. Walker, first performed by New York City's Negro Ensemble Company off-Broadway in 1972. The production made its Broadway debut with a transfer to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 27 March 1973 for a run of 162 performances. Titled after the West African river, The River Niger sits squarely with the African centered aspirations of the Black Arts Movement.

Characters

 * Mattie Williams
 * Johnny Williams
 * Dr. Dudley Stanton
 * Jeff Williams
 * Ann Vanderguild
 * Big Moe Hayes
 * Al
 * Chips
 * Skeeter
 * Gail
 * Wilhelmina Brown

Adaptations
The play was adapted by Walker for film in 1976, directed by Krishna Shah starring Cicely Tyson and James Earl Jones.

Awards and nominations
Awards
 * 1973 Drama Desk Award for Most Promising Playwright – Joseph A. Walker
 * 1973 Obie Award for Best American Play
 * 1974 Tony Award for Best Play

Nominations
 * 1974 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play – Douglas Turner Ward
 * 1974 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play – Roxie Roker