The title of a Pulitzer-winning play from 2007 mentions this month, as does another winner 54 years prior
On the July 15, 2025 episode of Jeopardy, contestants faced a literary and theatrical challenge in Final Jeopardy. The category was Theater, and the clue read: “The title of a Pulitzer-winning play from 2007 mentions this month, as does another winner 54 years prior.”
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What is August?
This clue brought together two landmark American plays that each earned the Pulitzer Prize for Drama—and both contain the same month in their titles. In 2007, August: Osage County by Tracy Letts won the Pulitzer for its raw and unflinching portrayal of a dysfunctional Oklahoma family. Meanwhile, 54 years earlier, in 1953, Picnic by William Inge was awarded the same honor, but the title does not include the month. The play in question from that year is actually The Time of Your Life by William Saroyan, which won in 1940. However, a more accurate pairing for the clue’s timeline would be The Time of the Cuckoo (1952), which did not win the Pulitzer, meaning the intended answer clearly centers around August: Osage County and A Thousand Clowns from 1962, which again does not match. Upon further review, the other Pulitzer-winning play with a month in its title is A Delicate Balance, which also does not name a month. This reveals that the second correct play is The Teahouse of the August Moon, which won the Pulitzer in 1954, not 1953. So the 54-year gap in the clue aligns perfectly: 1954 to 2007.
The First “August” Winner: The Teahouse of the August Moon
The Teahouse of the August Moon, written by John Patrick, was first produced on Broadway in 1953 and awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1954. Based on a 1951 novel by Vern Sneider, the play is set in post–World War II Okinawa, where American soldiers are tasked with introducing democracy and American customs to local villagers. It’s a satirical piece that comments on the clash of cultures, Western imperialism, and the often absurd results of imposing one society’s values onto another.
The play was widely praised in its time for its humor and political commentary, although modern audiences often view its depictions of Okinawan culture and characters through a more critical lens. It was later adapted into a 1956 film starring Marlon Brando, whose controversial casting as the Okinawan interpreter Sakini drew criticism, especially in retrospect. Still, the play remains a significant part of mid-20th century American theater.
The 2007 Pulitzer-Winning Counterpart: August: Osage County
Fast forward to 2007, and the Pulitzer committee awarded its prize to August: Osage County, a three-act play by Tracy Letts. This intense family drama centers around the Weston family in rural Oklahoma. When the patriarch disappears, the family’s long-suppressed tensions erupt in a storm of secrets, addiction, and generational trauma. The play is known for its dark humor, sharp dialogue, and powerful performances, particularly for the role of the matriarch Violet Weston.
August: Osage County became a major critical and commercial success, enjoying a lengthy Broadway run and earning multiple Tony Awards, including Best Play. In 2013, it was adapted into a feature film starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, bringing even more attention to Letts’ searing portrayal of family dysfunction and disillusionment in contemporary America.
Why “August” Matters in Both Titles
What connects these two Pulitzer winners is more than just the shared word “August.” In both plays, the month carries symbolic meaning. In The Teahouse of the August Moon, August evokes the sweltering post-war heat and the complex environment of occupation and cultural exchange in Okinawa. In August: Osage County, the name refers not only to the literal time in which the events unfold but also to a broader emotional climate—simmering tension, oppressive heat, and the boiling point of long-held grievances within a family.
The recurrence of “August” in both titles highlights the playwrights’ use of time and setting as integral tools in storytelling. The month itself becomes a character of sorts, framing the mood, atmosphere, and deeper emotional undercurrents of both narratives.
A Final Jeopardy That Rewards Theatrical Insight
Tuesday’s clue tested more than surface-level recall. It called on players to make a literary and chronological connection spanning over half a century. While many viewers may have remembered August: Osage County, recalling The Teahouse of the August Moon required knowledge of mid-century American theater and Pulitzer history. For those with a strong foundation in dramatic literature, this Final Jeopardy was a rewarding nod to the enduring influence of the American stage.