In 1963, the Gellman family and their African American maid, Caroline, live in a sleepy Louisiana town. Caroline is drifting through life as a single mother of four working a service job to a white family. A fragile, yet beautiful friendship develops between the young Gellman son, Noah, and Caroline. Noah’s stepmother, unable to give Caroline a raise, tells Caroline that she may keep the money that Noah leaves in his pockets. Caroline balks and refuses to take money from a child, but her own children desperately need food, clothing, and shoes. Outside of the laundry room, some of the greatest social advancements that the country has seen are being set in motion, and changes are knocking on the door.

Book and Lyrics by Tony Kushner

Music by Jeanine Tesori