Atlanta's Theatrical Outfit will present the world premiere of the new musical Young John Lewis June 4-29 in partnership with the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation.
Written by hip hop and spoken word playwright Psalmayene 24 with original music by Atlanta composer Eugene H. Russell IV, the hip hop musical examines ten crucial years in the early life of Congressman John Lewis. The work charts his journey from student activist to major leader in the Civil Rights Movement, all by the time he was 28.
The cast will include Michael Bahsil as Young John, with Sully Brown, Cece Campbell, Caleb Clark, Lawrence Flowers, Neal Ghant, Brandin Jay, Alexandria Joy, Latrice Pace, and Terrence J. Smith.
Thomas W Jones II (Passing Strange) is set to direct and choreograph. The creative team will also include dramaturg Addae Moon, scenic designers Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay, costume designer Jarrod Barnes, lighting designer Ben Rawson, sound designer Matt Reynolds, properties designer Caroline Cook, and stage manager Gabby Peralta.
"There is no better person to examine at this juncture in American history than John Lewis,” Psalmayene 24 said in a statement. “His defiant optimism, radical love, and creative action—particularly during the pivotal years that we focus on in Young John Lewis—are immediate and eternal examples for all of us. I wanted to write this musical because John Lewis’ life is endlessly inspirational. His life can be used as a roadmap to help navigate challenging times. His life was magnificently soulful. And if this musical foray into John Lewis’ life illuminates anything, I hope it’s that we all have the power to make enormous positive change."
“Being both an Atlanta native and a child of parents who marched with Dr. King, this show’s story resonates uniquely with me,” added Russell. “Couple that with my love for hip hop culture and its music, this was a dream project for me. I’m excited to see how lifting the legacy of John Lewis encourages all of us to lean into activism.”
Before his passing in 2020, Lewis created the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation to carry on his and his wife’s passion for purposeful living. "We are thrilled to be working with Theatrical Outfit as a Community Partner on Young John Lewis,” Detria
Austin Everson, the foundation's president and CEO, said in a statement. “This creative approach to telling John
Lewis' story, particularly of his early years in the Civil Rights Movement, will engage and inspire a new generation of
Good Troublemakers. I am grateful to see his story come to life in this creative way!"
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