The title of a Pulitzer-winning play from 2007 mentions this month, as does another winner 54 years prior

Tuesday’s Final Jeopardy clue brought contestants deep into the world of American theatre. In the category Theater, the clue read: “The title of a Pulitzer-winning play from 2007 mentions this month, as does another winner 54 years prior.” This thought-provoking prompt asked players to connect two acclaimed plays separated by more than half a century, with a single month in their titles serving as the link.

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What is August?

This answer ties together August: Osage County, the 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by Tracy Letts, and The Teahouse of the August Moon, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1954. Both plays reference the month of August directly in their titles, and each has had a significant impact on American theatre in its respective era.

August: Osage County – A 21st Century Family Epic

August: Osage County, written by Tracy Letts, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2008 for the year 2007. This darkly comedic and emotionally intense play tells the story of the Weston family, who come together in their Oklahoma home following the disappearance of the family patriarch. The play explores themes of addiction, generational trauma, and family dysfunction, unfolding across three acts that pull the audience deeper into the family’s unraveling.

The production premiered at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago before transferring to Broadway, where it received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the Tony Award for Best Play. Letts’ sharp dialogue and the play’s complex female lead, Violet Weston, helped cement its status as a modern American classic. The title’s reference to “August” sets the tone for the play’s sweltering, tension-filled atmosphere.

The Teahouse of the August Moon – A Post-War Commentary

Fifty-four years before August: Osage County, another play with “August” in the title captured the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The Teahouse of the August Moon, adapted by John Patrick from the novel by Vern Sneider, won the prize in 1954. Set in Okinawa after World War II, the play satirizes the American occupation of Japan through the lens of a misguided effort to introduce democratic values and Western customs to the local population.

The play centers on a young American officer tasked with implementing these reforms, only to find himself at odds with the culture he aims to reshape. Through its humor and cultural critique, Teahouse offered audiences a reflection on the post-war American mindset and its limitations. It was later adapted into both a film and a Broadway musical, expanding its reach and influence during the mid-20th century.

A Common Thread in Titles and Legacy

Both plays earned their place in Pulitzer history not only for their storytelling and craftsmanship but also for how they captured the spirit of their times. Despite their vastly different settings and tones—one grounded in rural Oklahoma family dynamics, the other set in a far-flung military outpost—the shared use of “August” in their titles creates a subtle but striking connection across decades.

The choice of month isn’t incidental in either case. In August: Osage County, the oppressive summer heat adds to the suffocating emotional intensity of the characters’ confrontations. Meanwhile, The Teahouse of the August Moon uses the month as a poetic reference to the traditional lunar calendar in Okinawa, grounding the play in a specific cultural rhythm and setting.

Final Jeopardy Challenges Contestants’ Range

This Final Jeopardy clue served as a reminder of how Jeopardy rewards players who can connect the dots across history, literature, and the arts. Identifying the shared month required not just knowledge of Pulitzer-winning plays but also an ability to recall specific titles and their significance. While the clue leaned on a single word—“August”—it ultimately pointed contestants toward two plays that helped define their generations on the American stage.

Jeopardy continues to deliver challenging and educational clues that celebrate knowledge across disciplines. With this well-crafted clue, the show once again highlighted the enduring value of theatrical works and their power to bridge time, culture, and perspective.