A Dramatic Comedy
Written by W. Freedom Cooke
Set in the early 1960s, Take No Tea for a Fever is a richly drawn dramatic comedy centered on Miss Isabelle, a formidable septuagenarian matriarch and speakeasy barkeep whose modest establishment serves as both sanctuary and crossroads for her community.
Behind the bar, Miss Isabelle dispenses whiskey and cigarettes—but more importantly, she offers wisdom, hard truths, and an unshakable moral compass to a rotating cast of loyal patrons. Warm, witty, and deeply intuitive, she is a woman shaped by experience and guided by principle. But cross her at your own risk: as she famously declares, “I don’t take no tea for my fever.”
As a vibrant ensemble of characters passes through her door—each bringing humor, conflict, and heart—Isabelle faces mounting pressures that threaten the life she has built. With her property at risk and her grandson teetering on the edge of incarceration, she must summon every ounce of resolve, humor, and ingenuity to protect her legacy and her family.
Balancing sharp comedy with emotional depth, Take No Tea for a Fever is a poignant portrait of Black resilience, intergenerational responsibility, and the quiet power of women who anchor their communities. The play honors oral tradition, communal storytelling, and the everyday heroism found in familiar places—making it a natural fit within the Clef’s multidisciplinary commitment to presenting work that is culturally grounded, artistically rigorous, and deeply human.
Get Tickets Here
March 13 Opening Night at 7PM
March 14 6PM
March 15 4PM
