Off-Broadway Review: “Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical” at the New York Musical Festival

Joseph Verlezza

Freedom Riders were civil rights activists who rode interstate buses into the segregated southern United States in 1961 and subsequent years to challenge the non-enforcement of the United States Supreme Court decisions which ruled that segregated public buses were unconstitutional. The Southern states had ignored the rulings and the federal government did nothing to enforce them. The first Freedom Ride left Washington D.C., on May 4, 1961 and was scheduled to arrive in New Orleans on May 17. Theses pioneers in the non-violent civils rights movement suffered brutal attacks and several incarcerations, but their cry for equality was heard throughout the country and echoed through the halls of the Kennedy administration.

Richard Allen and Taran Gray tackle the complicated feat of retelling this monumental slice of American History for the stage, in the medium of musical theater. The stellar cast that was assembled to assist them on this journey is remarkable and faces the challenge with honest and authentic passion along with unsurpassed vocal ability. Anthony Chatmon II (John Lewis) gives a solid, intelligent and calculated performance. Brynn Williams (Diane Nash) fills the stage with enormous passion, tremendous vocals and an understanding of the significance of the message. Ciaran McCarthy (John Seigenthaler) packs his character with compassion as he navigates politics and protests with an impressive vocal range and powerful baritone. The power and strength of their voices, whether alone or with the entire company is the driving force of the production.

The main purpose of the book by Mr. Allen right now appears to exist merely as a bridge for the moving musical numbers which overshadow the facts. There is a need to flesh out the characters and the events of this monumental movement. Collaborating with Mr. Gray the music tends to be derivative with very little diversity and the lyrics are continually repetitious. For the most part, they integrate into the storyline but at times deflect from the principal objective. Direction by Whitney White is steady but too lighthearted, lacking the distress and jeopardy of the situations. “Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical” has a story that should to be told and it accomplishes that, but with some insightful comprehension, it will rise to a new level, with stronger emotional power. 

FREEDOM RIDERS: THE CIVIL RIGHTS MUSICAL

The cast includes Barry Anderson, Anthony Chatmon II, Meagan Flint, Deon’te L. Goodman, Guy Lockard, Ciarán McCarthy, Brandon Michael Nase, Michael Nigro, Scot Redmond, Don Rey, Nygel D. Robinson, Brynn Williams, Joy Yandell, and Toni Elizabeth White.

The creative team includes Steven Cuevas (Music Director), Raja Kelly (Choreographer), Niko Rabbitt (Set Design), Kate McGee (Lighting Design), Ken Goodwin (Sound Design), Kelly Hardy (Production Stage Manager), and Dailey-Monda Management (General Management).  

The production will run through Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 9:00 p.m. at The Acorn Theater at Theatre Row, located at 410 West 42nd Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues on the south side of 42nd Street). General Admission tickets are $29.75. For reservations and information (including cast and creative team) visit http://www.nymf.org/festival/2017-events/freedom-riders-civil-rights-musical or call 212-352-3101. Running time is 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Photo: Michael Nigro, Meagan Flint, Deon’te L. Goodman, and Nygel D. Robin. Credit: Mia Winston.