THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963 Ushers In 2012 at Nashville Children's Theatre

One family's encounter with the historic Sixteenth Street Church bombing in Birmingham is the focus as Nashville Children's Theatre presents The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963, running January 17-February  12.

The year is 1963, and the Watsons, an African-American family, are taking a road trip from their home in Flint, Michigan, to Birmingham, Alabama. Fourth grader Kenny's older brother Byron has been hanging with a tough crowd and getting into trouble, so his parents decide to take him to live for a time with his grandmother down south. Soon, the whole family is crowded into the Brown Bomber, heading back to Alabama-and straight into one of the most shocking moments in American history.

This show is recommended for audiences ages 8 and up.

This production will include multi-media projections such as images of the era to depict time and  setting as well as video footage similar to what would have been seen during television news reports of that period.

Funding for this production comes in part through a grant from the Ida F. Cooney Fund for the Arts and The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

The cast includes Jessica Kuende, Shawn Whitsell, Patrick James, Nikkita Staggs, David Chattam, Aleta Myles, Tony Morton and Jacqueline Springfield. Scot Copeland, NCT producing  director, will direct the production. Set design is by Mike Sanders with lighting design by Scott Leathers, sound design by Dan Brewer, multi-media work by Colin Peterson and costume design by Patricia Taber.

The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963 opens with a preview performance on Tuesday, January 17, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the preview are specially priced at $6/child and $12/adult. Additional public performances are scheduled for 2 p.m. on January 21, January 28 and 29, February 4 and 5, and February 11 and 12.

Pictured: Jessica Kuende and Nikkita Staggs, photo by Michael S. Evans

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