New York City Children’s Theater will present “A Band of Angels” this spring, commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the musical that was written by the late playwright Myla Churchill in 2005. The play itself is an adaptation of Deborah Hopkinson’s children’s book with the same title.
The show centers upon a character named Ella, who is transported back in time, where she meets a college a capaella group, “The Jubilee Singers,” and gains a newfound appreciation for history and education. The new production celebrates “The Jubilee Singers,” a group that was established in 1871 at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and still exists today. Fisk University was founded five years prior in 1866 and was one of the first schools to educate freed slaves.
The 70-minute musical includes traditional African-American spirituals performed a cappella. The show is directed by award-winning actor and director Colman Domingo, who most recently appeared as Civil Rights leader Ralph Abernathy in the film “Selma.” I spoke to the creative team behind “A Band of Angels” (Barbara Zinn Krieger, creative director, and Domingo) to learn more about the show and what will make it a family outing to remember.
Shnieka Johnson: Why was it important for you to bring the work to stage at this time?
Barbara Zinn Krieger: New York City Children’s Theater is reviving “A Band of Angels” this season for two reasons: to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, and to celebrate its author, Myla Churchill, who died this summer, and to whom the production is dedicated.
SJ: How similar is Myla Churchill’s script to the children’s book by Deborah Hopkinson?
BZ: Deborah Hopkinson’s book traces the history of Fisk University and the first group of Jubilee Singers who saved their school by introducing a white audience to spirituals. That story line forms the center of the play. In order to engage 21st-century pre-teens, Myla added a framing device. Ella, a modern tween, doesn’t think education is important, so her Aunt Beth sends her on a “Sankofa,” a trip back in time to take the place of her great-great-grandmother, Ella Sheppard, one of the original Jubilee singers. Modern Ella experiences the hardships of those first Fisk students and realizes how important education really is.
SJ: What is the timeline for a production such as this?
BZ: In the fall of 2014, Colman Domingo agreed to direct the show. Kristen Rosenfeld, our music director, was soon on board, followed by the designers. We auditioned actor and singers in March, and April 6 rehearsals started. “A Band of Angels” opened on April 25.
SJ: Was Fisk University involved in any way (historical reference, etc)?
BZ: We have a promotional partnership for the revival with Fisk University, Fisk University New York Alumni, and UNCF, The United Negro College Fund. Hopefully, many of those folks will attend performances throughout the run.
SJ: What community and school outreach is taking place with this particular show?
BZ: We are providing free tickets to 1,100 children in Title 1 schools, schools where there is a high percentage of low-income families. Each class receives a Resource Guide, which helps the teachers prepare the children to see the show. The book is available in the lobby, and many groups come early so teachers can read the book to their classes before the performance.
SJ: What do you want parents to know about this show?
BZ: Parents can enjoy the show as much as their children, as there is a mix of adult and young characters. The story is full of excitement as well as history that will appeal to kids this time around as much as it did 10 years ago. The gorgeous music, sung in tight harmony, is abundant. Many spirituals such as “This Little Light Of Mine” are well known, and others, just as beautiful and inspiring, will be a joy to experience, perhaps for the first time.
SJ: Explain the importance of bringing kids to theatre early on.
BZ: The live theater experience is unlike any other. Engagement with live actors creates an indelible experience for the audience that is not soon forgotten. If we want our kids to enjoy theater as grown-ups, I believe they should be exposed as soon as possible, which is why New York City Children’s Theater has shows for 3 to 7 year olds as well as 8 to adult, the suggested age for “A Band of Angels.”
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A chat with director, Colman Domingo.
Shnieka Johnson: Compare Myla Churchill’s script to the children’s book by Deborah Hopkinson.
Colman Domingo: Myla’s play has more of a theatrical narrative, which is very important to conveying a story to the stage. She maintains the integrity of the book but gives it a heightened sense of theatricality.
SJ: What is the timeline for your cast and production team?
CD: We rehearse for two-and-a-half weeks, eight hours a day, six days a week.
SJ: Do you think that there is great parallel between the show and current events?
CD: The play touches on the urgency of knowing the collective history of disenfranchised people in our country and ways of survival.
SJ: What personal message do you want parents to know about this show?
CD: That the play is not only a lesson about history, but fun, intelligent and not a “children’s show,” where the story is dumbed down in any way. It is savvy for smart kids.
SJ: What is your take on the importance of bringing kids to theatre early on?
CD: Giving kids more tools to imagine, to create, to have their minds blown by taking an empty space and taking them to a place or time that is unimaginable is imperative for our survival. Art is the parachute that might save us all.
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“A Band of Angels” at Theater 3 [311 W. 43rd Street between Eighth and Ninth aves in Times Square, (646) 250–1178, www.nycch
Shnieka Johnson is an education consultant and freelance writer. She is based in Manhattan where she resides with her husband and son. Contact her via her website: www.shnie
