Strange Fruit 22 years old

In 1937, after seeing a photo depicting the lynching of a black man in the south, Bronx-born high school teacher Abel Meeropol wrote a poem entitled "Strange Fruit" that begins with the words: "Southern trees bear a strange fruit / Blood on the leaves and blood at the root." He set the poem to music and a few years later convinced Billy holiday to record it in a legendary heartbreaking performance. Intertwining jazz genealogy, biography, performance footage, and the history of lynching, director Joel Katz fashions a fascinating discovery of the lost story behind a true American classic. Written by Excerpted from Coolidge Corner Theatre Program Update

Credits

Strange Fruit Cast

Name	Character
Pete Seeger He was 83, 94 years old when he died
Billie Holiday She was 87, 44 years old when she died

Strange Fruit Crew

Name	Department
Joel Katz as Director.	Directing