Red Mountain Theatre to Present LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL, 9/12

Red Mountain Theatre Company (RMTC) will participate in this week's events commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement. As an organization committed to transforming lives through theatre, RMTC is honored to bring stories from this transformative and inspirational time in American history to the stage.

On Thursday, September 12 at 7:30pm, RMTC kicks off its state-wide tour of "Letter from Birmingham Jail" with a special FREE performance at the Cabaret Theatre (301 19th Street North). Based on an original concept by RMTC Executive Director Keith Cromwell, this performance features dramatic readings of "An Appeal for Law and Order and Common Sense" and "A Call for Unity," two letters written by a group of clergymen from which the famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail" was inspired during DR. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s incarceration in 1963. RMTC favorite Cecil Washington (The Color Purple, RENT) stars as DR. Martin Luther King, Jr. John Archibald, Rabbi Jonathan Miller, Armand DeKeyser, Jesse Bates, Don Hawkins, Devon Laney, John Ambrose, and Don Garrett are featured as members of the clergy.

RMTC is also hosting a staged reading of "While the World Watched," local actor and teacher Don Garrett's original script based on Carolyn Maull McKinstry's book of the same name. McKinstry was one of the two survivors of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham that resulted in the death of four young African-American girls. The play explores the evolution of racial relations over the 50 years that have passed since that tragic day and takes the audience through McKinstry's journey to heal from her experience. Performances are Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14 at 7:30pm. The price of admission is $10 at the door.

As part of the 50 Years Forward Empowerment Week, RMTC is also performing in concert with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra at Railroad Park on Sunday, September 15 at 8pm. Broadway musical director and Disney composer David Friedman's "Back to the Dream" performed with a full orchestra and a community choir comprised of 180 singers is sure to be a highlight of the evening. Admission for this event is free.

Founded in 1979, Red Mountain Theatre Company (RMTC) is a non-profit professional theatre organization with an emphasis on musical theatre. RMTC provides unique educational, training and performing opportunities for aspiring and culturally diverse artists, while growing new and existing audiences through quality theatrical experiences. RMTC is making a scene in 2013-2014 with Grease (September 26-October 13, 2013), 'Tis the Season (December 5-22, 2013), Groovelily (February 5-9, 2014), Into the Woods (April 10-13, 2014), La Cage aux Folles (May 1-18, 2014) and LES MISERABLES (July 8-August 3, 2014).

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