This new play is based on a portion of Griffin’s book titled of a similar name that features the story of Edna Buchanan, a crimes reporter for the Miami Herald who breaks the story on the wrongful murder of a black man and the shocking police cover-up in the 1980s that eventually led to the McDuffie riots, one of the worst race riots in American history. This occurred at a time when drug cartels were flooding the city with cocaine and more than 120,000 Cuban refugees landed south of Miami. In a battle of wills, Buchanan has to keep up with the 150 percent murder rate increase. Against all odds and through perseverance, a stronger, more vibrant, Miami begins to emerge. But the foundation of this new Miami—partially built on corruption and drug money—will have severe ramifications for the rest of the country. It is epic in scope and deals with controversial subject matter that resonates with so many today.

On a roller coaster of national politics and international diplomacy, these three figures cross paths as their city explodes in one of the worst race riots in American history as more than 120,000 Cuban refugees land south of Miami, and as drug cartels flood the city with cocaine and infiltrate all levels of law enforcement. In a battle of wills, Buchanan has to keep up with the 150 percent murder rate increase; Captain Frank has to scrub and rebuild his homicide bureau; and Mayor Ferré must find a way to reconstruct his smoldering city. Against all odds, they persevere, and a stronger, more vibrant Miami begins to emerge. But the foundation of this new Miami—partially built on corruption and drug money—will have severe ramifications for the rest of the country.

Deeply researched and covering many timely issues including police brutality, immigration, and the drug crisis, The Year of Dangerous Days is both a clarion call and a re-creation story of one of America’s most iconic cities.