WHEN:
September 20-22, 2024
WHERE:
The Strand Theatre
543 Columbia Road
Boston, MA
A spokesperson describes the event as follows:
“...Is This America? brings to life one of the most turbulent periods in American history. It tells the story of Ms. Hamer, the great Mississippi activist who galvanized the registration of Black voters in her home state despite overwhelming odds, including death threats, beatings, and rejections by her own constituency. The title of the work is taken from the iconic speech Ms. Hamer made 60 years ago before the 1964 Democratic National Convention, when she petitioned the Convention to give her newly formed political party, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), seats at the Convention and to recognize the MFDP as the legitimate representative of the people of Mississippi. A year later President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed discriminatory voting practices..."
CAST:
Fannie Lou Hamer/Lou Ella Townsend: Deborah Nansteel (mezzo-soprano)
Pap/James Townsend: Eliam Ramos-Silva (bass-baritone)
Child Fannie: Naila Delgado
Ensemble Singers: Nina Evelyn Anderson, Joel Clemens, Carina DiGianfilippo, Isabel Randall, and Chris Remkus
Orchestra: The Victory Players
CREATIVE TEAM:
Composer: Mary D. Watkins
Co-Librettists: Mary D. Watkins and Cerise Lim Jacobs
Stage Director: Pascale Florestal
Music Director: Tianhui Ng
Set Designer: John Oluwole Adekoje
Lighting Designer: Aja Jackson
Costume Designer: Chloe Moore
Executive Producer: White Snake Projects
