January 21 – February 13, 2022
THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963
Based on the book “The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963" by Christopher Paul Curtis
Adapted by Cheryl L. West
Original Music by Paris Ray Dozier
Directed by Brandite Reed and Jeff Frank
Ten-year-old Kenny chronicles the events of a fateful summer for the Watson family of Flint, Michigan. When Kenny’s older brother Byron starts getting into too much trouble, Mama and Daddy decide the family needs to pay a visit to Grandma Sands in Alabama to set him straight. Mama, Daddy, Kenny, Byron, and youngest sister Joetta set out on a cross-country journey, heading south and toward a moment in American history where the world seems to change before their eyes.
Runtime
Approx. 70 minutes, no intermission
Age Recommendation
Suggested for families with young people ages 8+
Location
Marcus Center's Todd Wehr TheaterSupported in part by an award from
January 21 – February 13, 2022
THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963
Based on the book “The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963" by Christopher Paul Curtis
Adapted by Cheryl L. West
Original Music by Paris Ray Dozier
Directed by Brandite Reed and Jeff Frank
Ten-year-old Kenny chronicles the events of a fateful summer for the Watson family of Flint, Michigan. When Kenny’s older brother Byron starts getting into too much trouble, Mama and Daddy decide the family needs to pay a visit to Grandma Sands in Alabama to set him straight. Mama, Daddy, Kenny, Byron, and youngest sister Joetta set out on a cross-country journey, heading south and toward a moment in American history where the world seems to change before their eyes.
Runtime
Approx. 70 minutes, no intermission
Age Recommendation
Suggested for families with young people ages 8+
Location
Marcus Center's Todd Wehr TheaterSupported in part by an award from
The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963
Birmingham Cast
Buphead, JONATHAN EDWARDS
Byron, MICHAEL LOOMANS
Joey, PAISLEY LUNA
Kenny, ZEPHANIAH SINGH PONDER
ADULT PERFORMERS
Grandma Sands, CYNTHIA COBB*
Mama, KRYSTAL DRAKE*
Daddy, SHERRICK ROBINSON*
*Member of Actor's Equity Association, the professional union of professional Actors and Stage Managers.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director, BRANDITE REED
Director, JEFF FRANK
Scenic Designer, SYDNEY LYNNE THOMAS
Lighting Designer, JARED GOODING
Associate Lighting Designer, ZAK STOWE
Sound Designer, KEVIN O'DONNELL
Costume Designer, RON S. MCCAN
Assistant Costume Designer, LYNDSEY KUHLMANN
Production Stage Manager, MELISSA L. WANKE*
Assistant Stage Manager, MEGAN HARRIS
*Member of Actor's Equity Association, the professional union of professional Actors and Stage Managers.