The play is set in an unnamed House of Detention in New York City, the inmates of which are predominantly black or Latino.

Short Eyes was revived to acclaim by The Zoo Theatre Company, at The American Theater for Actors in 1988.

Short Eyes was published in book form by the editorial house Hill & Yang.

Walter Kerr of The New York Times said the play was "promising" but "not yet freed from its initial debt to life.

[3] The film starred Bruce Davison as Davis,[3] Piñero as Go-Go[3] and Luis Guzmán.