Every American knows that in the late 1700's, America fought for its independence and secured liberty -- for half its people. A dozen years later, in 1800, Gabriel and other enslaved African Americans throughout Virginia secretly organized a second revolution, one that was to bring about liberty for the rest of America.
This true story intrigued me so much that I felt I needed to write a musical about it. I researched the history in 2016, started writing the script and songs in May 2017, and completed a first draft in late 2018. In early 2019, I rewrote the story to require a cast of 10 characters instead of 22. Since then, the show has been through many versions. In July 2021, Jerold Solomon and Foster Solomon agreed to collaborate with me on the script, which is now in version 33.
"Gabriel, the Musical" will have its world premier at Firehouse Theatre in Richmond, Virginia, opening in September 2022. This is after postponements due to Covid-19 from the original plan of February 2021 and the following plan of February 2022.
The production has been awarded a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant is one of only 17 of the NEA's 2020 musical theatre grants nationwide.
This true story intrigued me so much that I felt I needed to write a musical about it. I researched the history in 2016, started writing the script and songs in May 2017, and completed a first draft in late 2018. In early 2019, I rewrote the story to require a cast of 10 characters instead of 22. Since then, the show has been through many versions. In July 2021, Jerold Solomon and Foster Solomon agreed to collaborate with me on the script, which is now in version 33.
"Gabriel, the Musical" will have its world premier at Firehouse Theatre in Richmond, Virginia, opening in September 2022. This is after postponements due to Covid-19 from the original plan of February 2021 and the following plan of February 2022.
The production has been awarded a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant is one of only 17 of the NEA's 2020 musical theatre grants nationwide.
