Next up in First Stage’s 2021/22 season will be THE DANCING GRANNY, a play by Mansa Ra adapted from the children’s book by beloved author/illustrator Ashley Bryan. The production is part of First Stage’s First Steps Series which introduces younger audiences to live theater. Based on an African folktale, the play is a joyful celebration of storytelling, song, movement, community and the beauty of everyday life. First Stage Director of Inclusion and Community Engagement Samantha D. Montgomery will direct this production and Ko-Thi Dance Company Artistic Director DeMar Walker provides choreography, as well as plays the roles of Old Man and Ananse the Spider. The production will also feature live drumming with Kameron “Keon” Sykes.
Kids and adults will be dancing in their seats as Ananse, the clever spider of African folklore, tries to trick Granny into dancing away from her garden so he can take her vegetables. But his plan backfires when he is drawn into the dance himself. “Shake it to the East, shake it to the West, shake it to the one that you love best!” Sponsored by PNC. Performance runtime is approximately 45 minutes, with no intermission. Suggested for families with young people ages 3-7+.
THE DANCING GRANNY runs February 12 – March 6, 2022 at Goodman Mainstage Hall at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, located at 325 W. Walnut Street in downtown Milwaukee. Tickets are $15. Tickets are available online at firststage.org or through the First Stage Box Office at (414) 267-2961.
Director Samantha D. Montgomery had this to say about THE DANCING GRANNY: “I am excited about First Stage and Ko-Thi collaborating and working together to share Mansa Ra’s adaptation of Ashley Bryan’s THE DANCING GRANNY with the community. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to share, laugh, strengthen their bond and enjoy one another as they listen to the voice and move to the rhythm of this African folklore.”
Choreographer/Ko-Thi Artistic Director DeMar Walker also commented: “THE DANCING GRANNY will bring together two Milwaukee artistic forces celebrating the amazing cultural legacy of oral tradition and storytelling within the Black theatrical experience. I feel this production runs in tandem with the conceptual works that Ko-Thi Dance Company has performed in recent years for audiences of various ages and backgrounds. We are beyond thrilled to showcase our versatility and virtuosity during this unprecedented time with the incomparable First Stage children’s theater.”
Added First Stage Artistic Director Jeff Frank, “We are honored to work with our friends at Ko-Thi Dance Company to bring to life this adaptation by beloved author/illustrator Ashley Bryan. This show will make you want to get up and move!”
The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963 is a gem of a play and Milwaukee is fortunate to have it!
So, first we meet the Watsons, a loving couple with three children. The prototypical early 1960s Midwest American Family…except that they are Black. And that is the crucial key that makes this drama significant. No, they aren’t the Cleavers but at the family level we see that their goals, dreams, challenges, and struggles are exactly the same as every other American family. But they also have to somehow manage the added stress of racism in America. Stress and trials that an aged white man like myself thinks he understands but doesn’t actually comprehend until shown…and shown very effectively in he Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963.
The Watson’s live in Flint Michigan and have a typical rebellious 13 year old son, Byron, and the youngest daughter, Joey, who doesn’t yet understand all of the nuances of language and often takes things as literal. And Kenny, the nine year old on the cusp of 10, whose story is being told here…whose perspective is adult to a point but he gets lost in his ability to feel the emotions swirling around him.
Krystal Drake (front, left) and Sherrick Robinson (front, far right); Zephaniah Singh Ponder, Paisley Luna, and Michael Loomans (back, left to right) in THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM -1963. First Stage, 2022. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.
But as Mama and Daddy Watson grow more concerned about Byron’s casual school attendance and lying to meet his buddies rather than study, the decision is made that he should spend the summer with his maternal grandmother in Birmingham Alabama. So Mama makes elaborate plans for a safe trip from Flint to Birmingham…a family adventure. And an adventure it proves to be…as Mama packs lunches and blankets and pillows for a three day trip…and Daddy has a surprise…a record player for 45s has been installed in the car…and a selection of each family member’s favorite record is included. The resulting family interplay will elicit a number of comical moments and an interesting view into family dynamics and the individual personalities!
But now the story gets more interesting as the customary environment of 1960s Michigan gives way to the realities of the 1963 South. And the children start to encounter signs and symbols that aren’t familiar to them and that aren’t common artifacts of their lives in Flint. It is at this point that the realities of racism explain themselves to Kenny Watson and to the rest of us.
Well, all of Mama’s best laid plans go to waste when Daddy drives straight through to Birmingham. The why and wherefore and the dynamics behind that you need to experience as you watch this play.
Cynthia Cobb and Zephaniah Singh Ponder (front), and Paisley Luna and Krystal Drake (back) in THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM -1963. First Stage, 2022. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.
But when we meet Grandma Sands, you have to wonder how this excited and loving old lady is expected to straighten out Byron! She is so full of life and giving toward her family and particularly her grandchildren. But that happy is balanced by a number of events that I won’t elaborate on because I don’t want to spoil the story. But Byron pulls through and shows that he is ready to be an adult and that he does value family despite his actions as a typical 13 year old. And Kenny bears witness to a number of truths…this is 1963 in Birmingham Alabama after all and we are in the middle of the Civil Rights era.
My hat’s off to Sherrick Robinson who play’s Daddy. He is able to express his love and appreciation of his wife through his actions and glances. And although he talks a tough game and is concerned, he finds it hard to discipline a misbehaving Byron despite knowing that he needs to. And he clearly demonstrates the issues around racism while simultaneously trying to shield Kenny from it yet trying to prepare him for it. Mr. Robinson moves through those various different positions to perfection.
And Zephaniah Singh Ponder as Kenny was also incredible in moving from a fearful youngster to a brave young man as he struggled with things he didn’t understand and things he triumphed over but couldn’t quite assimilate. I was glad to see a presentation with his crew in performance.
And Mama! Played by Krystal Drake also exhibited her love for her husband plus show us her concern and nurturing nature for her children. And of course her clear organizational skills in preparing the trip to Birmingham!
And kudos to the set designer and stage managers who transformed the Todd Wehr stage from a Flint living room to a family sedan to a swimming hole in Birmingham with minimum props and clever use of paint and lighting.
The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963 is based on a book by Christopher Paul Curtis which was adapted by Cheryl L. West. Co-directors are Brandite Reed and Jeff Frank and original music by Paris Ray Dozier.
There are two casts. Each includes the same adults actors in the adult roles, but depending on when you attend the children’s roles may be different. Here is the play guide with additional information include casts listings and actor bios!
And go a bit early so that you can enjoy some great 1960s R&B music while you wait for the curtain!
The play runs through February 13, 2022 and information on times and tickets are here! There are COVID safety policies in force so check the link ^^ for current information. And although First Stage features theater for young people (this play is recommended for those 8 and older), this play is pertinent for everyone…and you need to see it.
Ryon Davis, Sherrick Robinson, Ryon Davis and Amira Harris in THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM -1963. First Stage, 2022. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.
-An exploration of how the love and strength of family can transcend adversity-
Performance runtime is approximately 70 minutes, with no intermission.Suggested for families with young people ages 8+.
This looks like it will be a lot of fun., The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963 kicks off 2022 at the First Stage. The play is based on a book by Christopher Paul Curtis and adapted for the stage by Cheryl L. West with original music by Paris Ray Dozier. The First Stage presentation is co-directed by Brandite Reed and Jeff Frank, The synopsis courtesy of First Stage:
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.
And what the co-directors have to say about the play!
Co-director Brandite Reed shared this about the play: “THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM is the perfect piece to make my directorial debut at First Stage. It’s a timeless work of art that illustrates the foundation and strength of the African American family throughout the direst of times in the civil rights movement in the 1960s. During rehearsals, I get a sense of nostalgia watching the young performers and wonderfully talented cast of adults bring this 1963 classic to life. For me it is perfect timing to show our communities of today, how the love and the strength of family can transcend adversity of any kind. I am very thrilled to be directing this piece alongside Artistic Director Jeff Frank. Together, I feel we can highlight all the important but beautiful moments this story has to offer.”
Co-Director and Artistic Director Jeff Frank added: “The Watson’s Go to Birmingham – 1963 is one of my favorite books of all time. It is laugh-out-loud funny. The self-proclaimed “weird” Watsons are an amazing family; and it is a joy to spend time with them. We follow young Kenny’s journey as he tries to make sense not only of his mixed-up family, but also the mixed-up world in which he lives. In his search for perspective, Kenny provides us all with a deeper perspective on family and on our collective history.”
And the where and whens but please visit First Stage’s website here for more information as things may change: THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM – 1963
THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM – 1963 runs January 21 – February 13, 2022 at the Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater, located at 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee. Tickets start at $21 and can be purchased in person at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 N. Water Street, by phone at (414) 273-7206 or online at firststage.org.
