Deep Are the Roots

Deep Are the Roots is a 1945 play by Arnaud d'Usseau and James Gow about a decorated African-American soldier who has returned from World War II.

[1] Brett is an African American who grew up in the home of a former senator as the child of a servant.

[1] He returns to his hometown and begins a romance with Genevra, a daughter of the former senator in a town where his checking a book out of the public library causes controversy.

[1] The play was first staged on Broadway in September 1945, directed by Elia Kazan; starring Gordon Heath and Barbara Bel Geddes, it ran for 477 performances, closing in November 1946.

[2] Earl Cameron subsequently played the lead on tour and in various regional productions.