This powerful story based on the Newbery Honor Book by Christopher Paul Curtis follows the Watson family as they find themselves thrust in the middle of the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham, AL in 1963. Uncertainty is life, threats are constant, and family is everything.
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Black History Month Celebration. Location: Jessamine Co. Public Library Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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The Lyric Theatre is thrilled to welcome back Lacresha Berry and her new original play, TUBMAN, to our historic stage for a FCPS school performance on Friday, February 17 at 10:00 am and two public performances on Friday, February 17 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, February 18 at 2:00 pm. The Lyric and Berry would like to thank our presenting sponsor, PNC Bank, for making this and other Black History Month events possible at The Lyric!
Berry, a native of Kentucky, is teacher, playwright, and singer/songwriter whose performance BrownGirl. Bluegrass was enjoyed by thousands of community members during three previous performances at The Lyric Theatre.
TUBMAN, Berry’s new one woman show, presents the story of Harriet Tubman reimagined as a young woman growing up in Harlem through a theatrical lens. The performance will take the inspirational story of Harriet in the 19th century and places her in the 21st century; laced with the problems facing African-American youth all over the country, focusing specifically on the mistreatment of black girls in schools.
‘I learned of Harriet Tubman superficially in high school and college. I knew she was a famous conductor on the underground railroad but I didn’t know she was a mother, wife, scout, spy, and fighter for the lives of elderly people. I have been researching her life for the past year or so and discovering her many sides compelled me to take on telling her invigorating story,’ Berry states.
The play examines the centuries old fight with race, gender, and equality through a theatrical lens centered around the most influential woman leaders in American history. Poetry, monologue, and revolutionary music will aid in telling young Harriet’s story. The performance will help benefit students and leaders searching to find their voice and searching to take an active role in defining their place through social justice theater in a racially divided country.
‘When physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy, we are genuinely strong, strong enough to utilize the arts as therapy and to push through and break down societal barriers and personal challenges. Finding my voice in the arts saved my life. When my father passed, I wrote an album for him, honoring his life. Without the words and songs given to me, I wouldn’t have woken up from sadness and depression. This is what my work is all about. I look forward to changing lives one song, one lyric, one verse, one stanza at a time!’ Berry states.
TICKETS: http://lexingtonlyric.tix.com/Event.aspx?EventCode=922379
FRIDAY: 7pm
SATURDAY: 2pm