Black Americana comes to life musically and poetically on the stage when a journalist and two despondent men meet at the Immigration Museum on Ellis Island and find it to be a surprising source of Black History--as well as hope for the future.  Loosely based on the book The Warmth of Other Suns, by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson.

SYNOPSIS:

Loosely based on the book The Warmth of Other Suns by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson. A journalist filming a documentary about immigration finds the National Park Service at Ellis Island's Immigration Museum to be a surprising source for learning about her own Black History; meanwhile, a despondent George Starling and Dr. Pershing Foster, two real-life characters from the book, bond after meeting at the museum. George weaves a factual narration peppered with some humor of how he came to New York during the Harlem Renaissance after running for his life from a lynch mob in Florida. Pershing Foster, a wealthy doctor from California who performed surgery on the hand of none-other-than Ray Charles (he is mentioned in one of Charles' songs), offers George a professional and compassionate ear, helping him to begin healing from years of anger and resentment. Through hearing George's struggle, Pershing also finds appreciation and empathy for the rich heritage as a Black American he had previously turned his back on. Characters such as Langston Hughes and W. E. B. DuBois make an appearance to lend context, and the whole story is underscored by orchestral musings and a choir singing Negro Spirituals as well as original music. The stage is set for an educational and courageous retelling of history to promote understanding and healing from the wounds that slavery and racism have left on a sagging appreciation for American History.