Amas Musical Theatre To Present STEALING FREEDOM as Part of 'Dare To Be Different' Series

Amas Musical Theatre in celebration of its 50th season, will present Stealing Freedom: The True, Heroic Life of The Extraordinary Captain Smalls, (formerly "Charleston Harbor") with book, music & lyrics by Scott Winfield Sublett, the third of four new musicals in development included in this year's "Dare to Be Different" series. Performances are Thursday, November 29 at 3pm & 7pm and Friday, November 30 at 3pmat A.R.T./New York Theatres (502 West 53rd Street - 10th Avenue & 53rd Street.

In 1862, a 23-year-old slave named Robert Smalls in a desperate bid for freedom, attempted to steal a Confederate gunboat from the most heavily defended harbor in the South. Stealing Freedom: The True, Heroic Life of The Extraordinary Captain Smalls, is a musical of the forgotten story of one of the greatest military feats in American History.

Directed by Christopher Scott, the cast will feature Justin Cunningham (Little Rock), Darryl Reuben Hall (Godspell), Lauren Hooper (The Wild Party), Vanessa A. Jones, Richard E. Waits, Dana Watkins (The Dark Clothes of Night), and Curtis Wiley (Ain't Too Proud). Evan Alparone is Music Director and Phil Reno is Music Supervisor and Arranger.

"Almost no one has ever heard of Robert Smalls," says artistic producer, Donna Trinkoff. "He became the greatest black hero of the Civil War by stealing a Confederate gunboat from Charleston Harbor and delivering it to the Union Navy-in the process freeing his family and those of his shipmates from slavery. Invited to the White House by Lincoln, along with Frederick Douglass, his heroism persuaded the president to let African-Americans fight in the War. Smalls went on to distinguish himself greatly in naval battles, and during Reconstruction served five terms in congress. Smalls is a real hero at a time when we desperately need them. The uplifting and thrilling adventure of his escape should be told to everyone.

The show, formerly known as "Charleston Harbor" was such a hit with our audiences in our "Dare to Be Different" Musical Festival last December that we decided we had to bring it back. We are looking to produce this show on the mainstage as part of our 50th Anniversary Season later this year."

"For 50 years, Amas has been a pioneer in multi-ethnic casting and has been devoted to the creation, development and professional production of new American musicals through the celebration of diversity and minority perspectives, and the emergence of new artistic talent. We want to continue to present this series featuring new musicals and special one-night events that explore the stories of people who dare to be different and to give our audiences the chance to get in at the ground floor in the development process of our talented artists in an intimate and up-close and personal setting."

Tickets for Stealing Freedom are FREE, but reservations are required and may be made by emailing boxoffice@amasmusical.org or by calling (212) 563-2565. Seating is limited.

For information about upcoming events part of the Amas 50th Anniversary Celebration, please visit amasmusical.org.