The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail

The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail is a compelling and thought-provoking play based on the life of real historical figure Henry David Thoreau. Set in 1846, the story dramatizes the day Thoreau chose to go to jail rather than pay taxes that would fund the Mexican-American War—a war he believed was unjust and driven by the U.S. government’s greed for expansion. This act of civil disobedience, later immortalized in his famous essay, becomes a quiet but powerful form of rebellion that still resonates today.
Though I don’t often read playwrights, this one stands out for its meaningful message and historical weight. Some scenes may feel drawn out or less relevant at first glance, but they serve to highlight Thoreau’s philosophical depth show more and the complexity of his protest. His quiet strength, unconventional thinking, and moral clarity are at the heart of this short but impactful work.
While not a typical narrative, the play is accessible and thought-provoking, making it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in nonviolent resistance, political ethics, or the roots of American protest. It’s a quick read that offers lasting insight into a moment that helped shape the concept of civil disobedience for generations to come. show less

The play centers around Thoreau's (real life) night spent in jail for refusing to pay his taxes because of them being used to fund the US intervention/war in Mexico. While the action centers around one war, it was written in 1969 during the time of (& protests against) the Vietnam War. I've never actually read Thoreau (nor R. W. Emerson who also figures considerably in this play) so this was somewhat an introductory experience for me about Thoreau's civil disobedience & quite a few musings on nature, belief in God or lack thereof, & opposition to war & enslaving others.

While Thoreau's curmudgeonly ways (in this play) seem to differ from H.L. Mencken's acid attacks (I recently read A Religious Orgy in Tennessee: A Reporter's Account of show more the Scopes Monkey Trial as 2025 is the 100th anniversary of the trial), both men seem to have clear vision on the follies & stupidities of their fellow humans, especially in relation to religion, education, & society.

I'm glad I read the play. There is a timelessness to it. show less

A play very much of its time (came out in 1970). I'm ashamed to confess that I have never read anything by Thoreau or Emerson and that "transcendentalism" is just a long word to me. So it was enlightening to read this play and learn, not only about the thoughts of both Thoreau and Emerson, but a little about the territorial wars that the US was involved in at that time and Thoreau's act of civil disobedience which was thwarted by those who loved and admired him. What I got from this play is that I really should find a copy of Thoreau and start reading him.

This was an interesting read, and I'd say that the play is benefits from being both read AND seen--not simply one or the other, since I think the two experiences will compliment one another and strengthen the piece with readers/audience. And I enjoyed it for the most part--at times the characters seemed a bit too simple, but for the most part, it was smooth. Yet, I was left wanting a great deal more than what I got.

I think that the authors, simply, tried to cram too much into what needed to be a longer play to meet its potential, and that they were too much focused on ideas and history as opposed to character. It needed a bit more balance. I WANTED to care about Thoreau....but I rarely did, because he seemed more of a mouthpiece or show more charicature at times than a real person. That hurt the play for me, a great deal. I'd like to see it once, if given the opportunity, but it would be only once, just as I can't imagine wanting to come back to read this work again. Simply, it left me dissatisfied, feeling as if more time and care could have made this a masterpiece, but that as is the piece was lacking in passion and sympathy.

If you're interested, I certainly recommend it, as it is a worthwhile and interesting read--I fear though, that particular readers will feel as I do, that the work's potential just wasn't reached, or even necessarily reached for. show less

More or less what one would expect from the authors of Inherit the Wind. The play is of course a study of civil disobedience, but also worthwhile for the presentation of Thoreau as a character. He is always resolute, and yet while never yielding he still manages to grow.

A very engaging and interesting play highlighting Thoreau's life and primarily his manifestation from hermit at Walden Pond into full-blown civic man, helping to define his philosophy and ideas on/in 'Civil Disobedience'. A great look at a great man.

Beautiful play about Henry David Thoreau's life and the circumstances that led to his famous essay, Civil Disobedience. I hope someday to see this on stage.