Mixed Magic Theatre Presents A Dramatic Reading of Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham City Jail

Mixed Magic Theatre (560 Mineral Spring Ave. Pawtucket, RI) presents a dramatic reading of Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter from Birmingham City Jail, January 15th -17th.

Tickets $15.

Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham City Jail was written mostly on the margins of newspapers during his imprisonment there in 1963. It was written as a response to 8 white church leaders who thought the non-violent, direct-action marches he was leading were misguided and unwise. The letter he wrote back is an incredible mirror on the times, then and now, as well as an expose on King's deeply held beliefs. It is also a "calling out" of white church leadership, political leaders, middle of the road moderates and sit on the sidelines black people.

Director Ricardo Pitts-Wiley cast 3 young actors, Rudy "Ru" Cabrera, Catherine Braxton and Rodney Witherspoon to perform the reading. He wanted to examine King and the letter from the point of view of people 2 generations removed from the Civil Rights Movement, who are now engaged in their own struggle for justice and access to the American Dream. Pitts-Wiley wondered would Martin Luther King, Jr. still speak to them, and could they give clarity, life and energy to the man and his words. What results is not just a reading of an important piece of American history, but a portal from the past to the present.