[1] Dessa Rose premiered at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center, New York City, from February 17 in previews, officially March 21 to May 29, 2005.

The cast included Cynthia Erivo, Cassidy Janson, Edward Baruwa, Sharon Benson and Miquel Brown.

"[6] Act I As the play opens, two elderly women, Dessa Rose and Ruth, introduce the story of their youth when their paths crossed and sing of the importance of lineage and remembering those who came before ("We Are Descended").

Kaine tells Dessa of the history behind his most prized possession - his self-made banjo - and how an older man from Africa taught him about the instrument and lands where they cannot be enslaved ("Ol' Banjar").

Some months later, Dessa sits in a jail cell, where she is visited by Adam Nehemiah, an aspiring author who is gathering information for a book who is writing on "the female of the species."

In the intervening time, Adam wants to interview the "Devil Woman" as she is now called, believing that her story will be the centerpiece of his book ("Ink").

As Kaine's body was dragged away, Dessa attacked Mrs. Steele, which led to her being whipped, branded, and sold away to Trader Wilson ("The Gold Band").

Dessa doesn't tell Adam about the two slaves she met on the band: Nathan and Harker, a duo who had already escaped from several traders.

Gradually, runaway slaves, including Nathan and Harker, catch word of the farm where the master is never present, and Ruth allows them to stay on her property.

In his journal, Adam writes of he is taken in by Dessa's determination and spirit, acknowledging that he finds it difficult to properly illustrate her as a character ("Capture the Girl").

When Dessa finally regains consciousness, she finds Ruth nursing her baby, a girl, and contemplating what name she should have.

Dessa angrily tells her to stop, suspicious of the white woman ("Their Eyes Are Clear, Blue Like Sky").

Dessa tells her daughter that she will get a name once they are both free, reiterating the promise she made to Kaine ("Twelve Children").

Ruth, still waiting for Bertie to return, allows the runaways to freely wander around the property, and bonds with Nathan as he goes fishing.

Later, Ruth tells Nathan that she overheard his plan and - realizing that Bertie is never coming back - wants a part in it.

The next day, Ruth announces that they are all leaving to carry out the scheme, and she begins packing, as Dessa laments that she is coming along ("Ten Petticoats").

They then nurse their respective daughters together, each allowing the other to assist - a friendship has finally emerges ("White Milk and Red Blood").

Pines does not believe Adam's claims, as he has now garnered a reputation for being obsessed and delusional, but brings Dessa to his office nonetheless so she can be questioned.

Sheriff Pines is inclined to believe Ruth, but Adam tells him to check under Dessa's dress to see her scars and the branding on her thigh.

Ruth, unable, to continue her relationship with Nathan, parted ways with the group and left to Northern states where Dessa predicts she became an abolitionist.

Adam's eventual fate is left unknown, though Ruth recalls that he never published his book, which is appropriate as "he didn't know half the story."

Dessa then closes the play by telling of how she kept her promise to Kaine and finally gave their daughter her name - Ruth ("We Are Descended - reprise").