Support for Jazz 91.9 WCLK comes from AMG Group, presenting ALIVE! 55 And Kickin', the new musical from Vy Higgiensen, creator of Mamma I Want To Sing . This event will be featured in one performance only at Atlanta Symphony Hall at Woodruff Arts Center on Saturday, July 30 at 4:00 p.m.
Vy Higgenssen is a national treasure. Her play Mama I Want To Sing is still considered the longest running Black off-Broadway play in American History. The play tells the story of a young girl whose dreams go against her family traditions. This play which opened in 1983 with little fanfare went on to play all over the world from Atlanta to Tokyo making and picking up stars along the way. A young Tisha Campbell was the lead in 1983 and Shirley Caesar even joined the cast. This play fundamentally changed American theatre with gospel music and led the way for others to present our stories on stage.
This time Vy is back with a new production, Alive! 55 and Kickin'. This musical showcases the talents of performers who are all over 55 years old. The voices of seniors are often unheard in our culture, Alive! 55 and Kickin' brings those voices to life with some performers who didn’t explore their talent until reaching “senior” status. ALIVE is about living victoriously no matter what your age and Vy Higgenssen is proof that this is possible.
Vy Higgensen stopped by the WCLK Studios to talk about it with me on The Local Take.
For tickets to Saturday's performance of ALIVE! 55 and Kickin', click here.
For information about Higginsen's Harlem-based MAMA Foundation for The Arts, click here.