[Columbus
baritone singer-actor Eric McKeever will lead Evolution Theatre
Company’s new program (Credit: Keith Morgan)]
By: Michael
Grossberg
The Columbus Dispatch
- January 18, 2012
Just
in time for Black History Month, Evolution Theatre Company has
launched a new “edu-tainment” program for central Ohio
schools.
The
program will begin in February with tours of Oh
Freedom,
Eric McKeever’s one-act musical celebrating African American
culture and history from the slavery era to today.”
“Eric
has tailored the show to focus on the history of blacks from slavery
to modern times and on Ohio, so it fits in well with Black History
Month and helps kick off Columbus’ bicentennial.”
"Accompanied
by a pianist, McKeever and another singer-actor perform the 45-minute
production, which touches upon several historical periods and
social-studies theme areas that area students are studying – from
the Civil War and Reconstruction to the Harlem Renaissance and the
civil-rights era and including the Middle Passage, the Underground
Railroad, the abolitionist movement and the Emancipation
Proclamation.”
“An
Opera Columbus baritone singer-actor who played Jake in a national
tour of Porgy and Bess, he first forged links with Evolution Theatre
Company when he appeared in 2010 in the Ohio premiere of Boy
Meets Boy, a coproduction of CAPA and the troupe in the Riffe
Center.
The songs in the musical reflect the African American
experience: Lift Every Voice and Sing, known as the Negro
National Anthem; Follow the Drinking Gourd; Wade in the Water,
The Gospel Train’s a Comin’; Slavery Chain Done Broke at Last;
and I, Too, Sing America, taken from Langston Hughes’
poem.”
“An
'Oh Freedom' Study Guide – which connects directly to Ohio
State Content Standards in Social Studies, English/Language Arts,
Music and Theatre – expands on the historical and musical elements
of each period.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Schools
and other central Ohio organizations can book performances by
contacting McKeever at 614-233-1124 or emailing
eric@evolutiontheatre.org.
To complete the “Oh Freedom”
Reservation Form online, visit www.evolutiontheatre.org”
Thanks for sharing this information. I will certainly be passing it on to my friends who work for Columbus City Schools. I am sure that there will be someone interested in sponsoring this event.
ReplyDeleteAs always, you're providing great information and educational information which I appreciate.
I looking forward to this event, thanks so much for the timely update.Columbus City Schools you got me!!Reservation Forms
ReplyDeleteWe have expanded the performances through March 2012 and if there is interest, the program can be available in the fall of 2012.
ReplyDelete