Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical in Concert, January 4 at Feinstein's/54 Below -

Feinstein’s/54 Below will present “an inspirational evening,” featuring the songs of Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical!, in a January 4 concert. Celebrating Richard Allen and Taran Gray’s award-winning project, the show features a cast of musical theater veterans, produced and directed by show’s creators.

In 1961, black and white civil rights activists rode side by side on interstate buses across the South to challenge segregation laws and practices, which stubbornly persisted even after the Supreme Court ruled them unconstitutional. Allen and Gray set this story of civil rights heroes, such as Diane Nash and John Lewis, to a stirring score performed by a cast of powerhouse vocalists. Freedom Riders won several awards at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, including Outstanding Music and a Special Citation for Social Relevance and Impact.

Starring:

Alexis Floyd (Wanderlust, Romeo and Juliet, The Wiz, Once on This Island)

Anthony Chatmon III (Into the Woods, The Book of Mormon)

Brynn Williams (SpongeBob SquarePants, Bye Bye Birdie, 13, In My Life, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)

Ciaran McCarthy (Kinky Boots)

Deonte Goodman (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Caroline, or Change)

Edred Utomi (How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Once on This Island, Big River, Sister Act)

Michael Nigro (The Sound of Music Live!, Bandstand)

Scott Redmond (Shrek, Peter and the Starcatcher)

Tyla Collier (Sistas, Sister Act, Polkadots, Dreamgirls, Violet, Caroline, or Change)

Colin Carswell (Songs for A New World, Romeo and Juliet, In the Heights, American Idiot)

Directed by Whitney White (Citizen SUNY Purchase, Blood Wedding, The Secret Life Of Bees, AL-HALQA [Is that how it’s pronounced], Three Sisters)