description Topdog/Underdog Overview
Topdog/Underdog is a two-character play by American dramatist Suzan-Lori Parks, first produced in 2001 and awarded the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It follows African American brothers Lincoln and Booth, whose names foreshadow the rivalry and violence within their relationship. Lincoln works as an Abraham Lincoln impersonator after abandoning three-card monte, while Booth tries to master the same street con. The play examines brotherhood, identity, poverty, competition, and inherited roles.
help Topdog/Underdog FAQ
Why are the brothers named Lincoln and Booth?
Their father gave them the names as a joke, invoking President Abraham Lincoln and his assassin, John Wilkes Booth. The names foreshadow the brothers' fatal struggle over identity, money, and power.
What does Lincoln do for work in Topdog/Underdog?
Lincoln works at an arcade impersonating Abraham Lincoln so customers can pretend to shoot him. He previously made money dealing three-card monte but abandoned the game after a violent incident.
Why is three-card monte central to the play?
Booth wants Lincoln to teach him the confidence game, believing it can give him money and status. Their practice sessions turn deception into a contest between the brothers and drive the play toward its final confrontation.
How many actors are in Topdog/Underdog?
The play has only two onstage characters, the brothers Lincoln and Booth. Suzan-Lori Parks's drama premiered in 2001 and won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
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