Jitney is the seventh in Wilson 's American Century cycle of plays on the black experience in twentieth-century America. He writes not about historical events or the pathologies of the black community, but the unique particulars of black culture. Currently on Broadway; it was first produced in New York in the spring of 2000, with a London run following in 2001, winning rave reviews and the accolade of the as the best play of the year. Set in the 1970s, this richly textured piece follows a group of men trying to eke out a living by driving unlicensed cabs ( jitneys '). When the city threatens to board up the business and the boss 's son returns from prison, tempers flare, potent secrets are revealed and the fragile threads binding these people together may come undone. In addition to the essential and insightful preface by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, this edition includes production stills from the Manhattan Theatre Club 's Broadway production, directed by Santiago-Hudson and featuring Harvy Blanks, Anthony Chisholm, Brandon J. Dirden, Andre Holland (Moonlight), Carra Patterson (Straight Outta Compton), Michael Potts (The Book of Mormon), Keith Randolph Smith, Ray Anthony Thomas and John Douglas Thompson.