content provided by Henry Box Brown the Musical media representative Matthew Shelly
Henry Box Brown: A Musical Journey will make a stop at The Ned McWherter Cultural Arts Center, August 26-28, 2021, with a Racial Healing Music Workshop to follow Sunday, August 29.
“I’m so glad to have the opportunity for The Ned to be a part of the timely experience that is ‘Henry Box Brown,” said The Ned Director Johnny Kimbrough. “During the planning process of welcoming the cast and crew to perform in Jackson, there has already been relationships formed and big ideas coming into reality. I’m honored for the willingness of this professional cast to take the stage at The Ned and capture the hearts of the people in our very own Jackson neighborhoods.”
Henry Box Brown: A Musical Journey is a true tale of an 1850s Virginia slave who mails himself to freedom in a box.
The musical is a fusion Gospel, R&B, Blue Grass, and traditional and original Negro Spirituals with new choreography and now features live musicals and African drumming. The musical is championed by the Baha’i Unity Center of New York, and based the original Narrative of Henry “Box” Brown, the acclaimed musical is written by NEA award-winning writer and composer, Mehr Mansuri – with long time Co-composer, Frank Sanchez and gospel music director, recording artist and music historian, Eric Dozier. Music director, conductor and arranger, John Bronston, leads the production after his North American Tour of Hair and as Associate Conductor of the tours of Smokey Joe’s Café and Ain’t Misbehavin. The robust orchestration is by Jack Lenz (Oscar nominee for the music in the Passion of Christ, and ASCAP winner for the original score for The Good Witch). Additional music by Sam Urdang, Jeffrey Bolding and Aaron Jensen (Schitz Creek music director).*
“The hard work comes after the show ends,” Kimbrough said. “We are looking to create opportunities for children to build their self-esteem and theatrical skills. We will invest in children’s’ education through an initiative that the Children’s’ Theatre Company founded in partnership with locals.”
Evening performances will be held Thursday, Aug. 26 at 5:30pm and Saturday, Aug. 28 at 6pm and are open to the public. The Music and Racial Healing Workshop will take place on Sunday, Aug. 29 from 2-5pm and will led by Eric Dozier and Michelle Chamblin.
Tickets and registration for the workshop and more information are available at http://thened.jacksontn.gov.
