In this episode of “Hub City Now with Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.,” the host spoke to Mehr Mansuri, Nancy Ewing and Sue St. Clair.
Mansuri, St. Clair and Ewing spoke about The Kids with a Cause: Children’s Theatre Company's full musical showcase featuring musical highlights of The Lorax (about trees and habitat) and Rescue Me: A Musical History of Women, will be presented by children and youth of Jackson at the NED Cultural Arts Center, Saturday, March 30th at 7 p.m., free charge; and a community service project at the ComeUnity Cafe Garden next door to the NED. Thr showcase is in celebration of Earth Day and Women’s History Month.
“Our goal is to showcase the children and youth of Jackson as the voices of positive change and agents of healing in their communities,” said Eric Dozier, Music Director/ Director of Equity & Outreach of Children’s Theatre Company.
In honor of Earth Day, the evening will feature highlights from Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax adapted by Lory Lazarus and Frank Sanchez and directed by award-winning Jackson choreographer, Veronica Sesson. Also being celebrated is Women’s History Month with highlights of the hit show, Rescue Me: A Musical History of Women by Dorothy Marcic.
Rescue Me is a review of the lyrics and music of the Top 40 songs by women from the blues to disco. Nadia Beard, the NED resident director and choreographer, will be directing. “While bringing generations together, children, parents and their grandparents will relish the music, tap their feet and dance in their seats,” said Nadia Beard.
“My heart has been touched by the mission and performances of this unique theater company featuring kids reciting some of the wisest words ever uttered that is all the more stirring when proclaimed by young voices. I urge everyone to come and take part and fill the house and your heart at the NED!” said Matt Marshall, President of United Way of West Tennessee.
We are so grateful to Mayor Conger and our national partners, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the Wayfarer Foundation, and the Baha’i Office of Education & Schools, and our amazing local partners, including, AKA Sorority, Keep Jackson Beautiful; the NAACP; United Way of West TN and the Society of African American Cultural Awareness – SAACA, Historic First Baptist Church,” said Mehr Mansuri, Executive Artistic Director.
In this episode of Hub City Now with Tyrone Tony Reed Jr, the host interviewed Jennifer Shackleford and Olivia Tate.
Shackleford and Tate spoke about Hairspray: A Broadway Musical, which will be featured at The Ned from October 21 through October 23. The musical will be directed by Shackleford and choreographed by Tate.
About the musical: "The 1950s are out, and change is in the air! Hairspray, winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is a family-friendly musical, piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance and deliriously tuneful songs.
It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire – to dance on the popular “Corny Collins Show.” When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network… all without denting her ‘do!"
Tune in to hear Shackleford and Tate speak about rehearsals for the musicals, the talented actors and what they hope theater-goers learn and take with them after seeing the musical.