Hailey Kilgore, Tichina Arnold and More Star in the Kennedy Center's THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM—1963

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announces complete casting for The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963. This world premiere Kennedy Center commission is adapted by Christina Ham from Christopher Paul Curtis's Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning book.

Presented in a staged concert adaptation with live music, the cast will featureTichina Arnold (Everybody Hates Chris) as Wilona Watson, J. Bernard Calloway(Memphis) as Daniel Watson, Chad Coleman (The Wire) as Narrator Kenny & Other Broadcast Voices, Dante Myles Hoagland (The Last O.G.) as Kenneth "Kenny" Bernard Watson, Tony Award® nominee Hailey Kilgore (Once on This Island) as Joetta "Joey" Watson, Isabell Monk O'Connor (The Gospel at Colonus) as Grandma Sands, Nova Y. Payton (the Kennedy Center's Broadway Center Stage:How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying) as The Voice, and Justin Weaks (the Kennedy Center's Long Way Down) as Byron Watson.

This beloved, funny, and poignant story tells the tale of the Watson family of Flint, Michigan-Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, big brother Byron, and ten-year-old Kenny-and their bond and endurance amidst one of the darkest periods in America's history. When Byron can't stay out of trouble, the whole family piles into their "Brown Bomber" and drives south to visit Grandma Sands for the summer. But along the way, they'll experience a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

Directed by Faye M. Price, co-Artistic Director of Pillsbury House Theatre in Minneapolis, The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 features music by the lateDarius Smith, who completed the bulk of the score shortly before his passing.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 is presented as a part of the Kennedy Center's season-long exploration of The Human Journey, which seeks to promote deeper understanding of the migration of people and the resilience of humankind to overcome conflict, adversity, prejudice, and injustices.

This production is most enjoyed by age nine and up.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 will be performed Thursday, March 14-Sunday, March 24 with performances on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., and Mondays at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale. For more information please visit the Kennedy Center website, in-person at the Kennedy Center box office, or call (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski

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