On January 20, 2014, at 6 p.m. at the Carver Theater in the Fourth Avenue Business District, Phoenix Productions, in association with Special Design Company Inc. will present a reunion performance of Hollis Wormsby’s classic civil rights play, The Dream Lives.
The Dream Lives was originally presented in January of 1989 at the City of Birmingham’s first official Martin Luther King Holiday Celebration. Dr. Abraham Woods and the Birmingham Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference held an open competition for playwrights to compete for the honor of presenting their work at the first holiday program, and the Dream Lives by then newcomer to Birmingham, Hollis Wormsby, was the unexpected winner. The play was presented to a standing room only audience at the Alabama Theater and left the audience both shaken and inspired.
At the time Wormsby was relatively unknown to the Birmingham community. Since that time he has established himself as a long time columnist with the Birmingham Times, where his column, The Way I See It, was a staple for more than a decade. He earned recognition for providing cutting edge commentary during 10 years as host and co-host on Talkback on 98.7 KISS FM, and four years as host of Real Talk on WENN. During that time he thought about returning to his love of the theater and the joy he got from working in that genre, but it seems something always had a higher priority.
All that changed last year when the City of Birmingham announced the events for the Fifty Years Forward Celebration. Wormsby saw the calendar of events and felt like the Dream Lives belonged on that calendar. And so he reached out to the Mayor and Councilman Hoyt and others and as has often been the case they answered. The Mayor’s Office provided a discount to use Boutwell Auditorium and recognized the play as part of the Fifty Years Forward Events. Though the play is being held at the Carver Theater, the early recognition by the Mayor’s Office was crucial to fundraising and recruitment efforts. Councilman Steven Hoyt, committed $1,250 in discretionary funding. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute has partnered by allowing use of video from their archives as part of a video montage for the play’s opening. The Dannon Project and Special Designs Inc., signed on as nonprofit sponsors and on January 20, at 6 p.m. at the Carver Theater an all-star Birmingham cast will take to the stage to bring the story to life once again.
The cast will include Birmingham theater legend, as well as Birmingham Foot Soldier, Rickey Powell, also known by many as the voice of the Civil Rights Movements. Rickey will play the lead role of Reverend Johnson, the leader of a church involved in Civil Rights activities at the time of Dr. King’s death. Helen Lyles will play the role of the Pastor’s wife, and Alicia Johnson Williams, Director of Make It Happen Theater Company will play the role of Reverend Johnson’s daughter-in-law. Annie Joe Avery, another artist whose voice is featured in Birmingham Civil Rights Institute exhibits will also play a role in the play as will Vicky Stokes, who was featured in the original as a principle character will now serve as a musical guest.
Alvin Garrett known for his work with Ruben Studdard, as well as recognized for having written four songs including Find Myself A Love, on the new Joe album, will both perform and create music for the show. And Logan, a Birmingham singing sensation will also share his talents on this night.
Those who have seen the play before will really want to come out for this performance. This is the third time the play has been in production and it really is true that the third time is the charm. According to Wormsby they have made the story so much richer and have integrated the music and the special effects in so much more seamlessly, that this is a better production than what we did earlier. Rickey Powell says that he is pleased to be a part of this cast, and actually asked to be included because he believes this play tells the story of the Civil Rights movement as well or better than any he has seen. But please don’t get the impression that because this is a Civil Rights play it is going to be boring. The play features new music, comedic dialogue, and enough twists and turns to insure that you will leave the Theater entertained. You will just also leave with a better understanding of and feel for the sacrifices made in the name of the freedoms we indulge in today.
The Dream Lives will be presented at the Carver Theater of January 20, 2014 at 6 p.m. Tickets will be $ 20. For ticket information please call the Carver Theater at 327-9424.
