Announcing The Cast Of OH FREEDOM! The Story Of The Underground Railroad

The greatest collaboration against racism in American History before the Civil Rights Movement was The Underground Railroad, in which persons of all ethnic backgrounds, from North and South, came together to help escaped slaves make their way to free territory.

MainStreet Theatre Company begins 2018 with the West Coast premiere of Oh Freedom! which celebrates the men and women who were active in the fight against slavery, using stories and songs from the period. Young people will be introduced to some of the legends of the Movement, such as Harriet Tubman and Harriet Beecher Stowe, as well as other, lesser known heroes. The production is geared everyone, including children as young as 10. Oh Freedom! is directed by Saundra McClain, with Musical Direction by Janice Rodgers Wainwright.

MainStreet is pleased to announce the production's four versatile actors: Jennifer Cannon, Charles McCoy, Elayn J. Taylor and Mark McClain Wilson, who will not only depict all of the historical characters, but also act as contemporary narrators, guiding the audience through the stories. Songs from the period are sung a capella, with vocal arrangements by Janice Rodgers Wainwright, adding a rich layer to the stories.

Some of Saundra McClain's Directing work includes Ain't Misbehavin' and Flying West for ICT Long Beach, The Colony Theatre's critically acclaimed production of Breath and Imagination: The Story of Roland Hayes, and the West Coast Premiere of What I Learned in Paris. She also directs regularly at The Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara, where she received rave reviews for her direction of Intimate Apparel, Frankie and Johnnie in the Clare de Lune, the Fantasticks, and others. Last season she directed the rarely seen, critically acclaimed Bee Luther Hatchee at The Sierra Madre Playhouse. This is Ms. McClain's first production for MainStreet Theatre Company. Oh Freedom's creative team consists of Harry Feiner (Scenic & Projection Design), Jared Sayeg (Lighting Design), Dave Mickey (Sound Design), Dianne Graebner (Costume Design), and John MacElveney (Prop Design). Mary K Klinger is Production Stage Manager.

Oh Freedom! The Story of the Underground Railroad runs January 27 - February 11, 2018, with performances on Saturdays at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm (no 1:00 pm performance January 27th) and Sundays at 1:00 pm (no performance January 28th). Tickets are priced at $18.00 for General admission, and $16.00 for Seniors and Youth up to age 12. In addition to the 7 public performances, Oh Freedom! will share this important history to thousands of young people from 5th grade through high school, at an additional 14 performances on weekday mornings for school field trips, beginning on January 26th. Specially priced $10.00 tickets are available for Foundation Family Saturday performance on January 27. Foundation Family Flex pack tickets are just $12.00 if purchased in quantities of four or more for the same performance and are available for all MainStreet Theatre Company productions.

During weekend performances of Oh Freedom!, families can participate in lobby activities before the show, including a special art exhibit curated specifically to coincide with the production. There will also be a short "talk-back" after the performance on Sunday, February 4th.

An intimate, 536-seat venue, the Lewis Family Playhouse is the crown jewel of the three-acre, 89,000-square-foot Victoria Gardens Cultural Center. The complex at 12505 Cultural Center Drive and is conveniently located off the I-15 at Foothill Boulevard, as a major anchor of Victoria Gardens. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with free parking available.

MainStreet Theatre Company, included in American Theatre Magazine's 2016 list of "20 Theatres you should take your kids to," is the resident Equity Company at the Lewis Family Playhouse, producing innovative plays and musicals for the whole family.

For more information - For additional information or to purchase tickets please visit www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com or call (909) 477-2752 or (877) 858-8422. Download the Lewis Family Playhouse app, available in the App Store and Google Play! #LewisFamilyPlayhouse

To post a comment, you must register and login.