A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

We Shall Someday

Full-Length Musical, Drama  /  1w, 3m

Book and Lyrics by Harrison David Rivers
Music and Additional Lyrics by Ted Shen

Uplifted by a sweeping, jazz-infused score, We Shall Someday is a galvanizing original musical following three generations of a southern Black family as they each confront acts of racial injustice.

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We Shall Someday

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 3m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

Uplifted by a sweeping, jazz-infused score, We Shall Someday is an original musical following three generations of a southern Black family as they each encounter and confront acts of racial injustice. Offering an exploration of our past to propel us forward with conviction and hope, We Shall Someday ​​examines how we​ continue the fight ​for freedom and justice.

The show begins in 1961 when Julius makes the decision to join the Freedom Rides. The second act follows his daughter, Ruby, as she wrestles with how to respond when Jay, her teen son, is brutally attacked by the police. The third and final act continues in 1992, on the heels of the Rodney King verdict, with Jay, as he weighs his choice to join the movement.

With searing vocals and deep personal truths, We Shall Someday is a galvanizing and moving new work about the family bonds that hold us together and the courage, resolve, and direction needed to keep moving forward.

History

We Shall Someday premiered at Theater Latté Da in Minneapolis, MN on April 19, 2023. Directed by Kelli Foster Warder, the production featured Ronnie Allen, Erin Nicole Farsté, Roland Hawkins II and Bradley Johnson.

Keywords
Performing Groups

JULIUS “JULES” TATE, SR. – Black man, 30s
RUBY TATE – Black woman, 30s
JULIUS “JAY” TATE II – Black man, late teens
GUARD, SERGEANT, SCOOTER – White man, 20s

  • Time Period 1990s, 1980s, 1960s
  • Setting

    Mississippi, 1961. Arkansas, 1988. New York, 1992.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes, Period Costumes
  • Duration 90 minutes

Media

“[A] beautiful, emotionally rich, historically relevant new musical… brilliant in its conception… and achingly relevant. See it.” – Talkin’ Broadway

“The no-fuss opera-like production is powerful and passionate.” – Star Tribune

“This new musical lifts up black voices from America’s turbulent history. It also tells the story of three generations of Americans, the struggles they endured, the love they felt, and the bonds that are never broken. It shows the ugly side of racism and offers the hope of people coming together to make a change. We’re all in this together.” – Play Off the Page

Videos

  • We Shall Someday – Theatre Latté Da Trailer youtube thumbnail

    We Shall Someday – Theatre Latté Da Trailer

  • We Shall Someday – Theatre Latté Da Preview youtube thumbnail

    We Shall Someday – Theatre Latté Da Preview

  • Harrison David Rivers and Ted Shen discuss We Shall Overcome with Robert Bannon youtube thumbnail

    Harrison David Rivers and Ted Shen discuss We Shall Overcome with Robert Bannon

Music

Music Samples

Act I

1. “Yes, Ma’am” – Julius
2. “Arna” – Julius
3. “Freedom Riders” – Julius and Ensemble
4. “I Shall Not Be Moved” – Julius and Ensemble
5. “Yes, Ma’am (Reprise)” – Julius
6. “Freedom Riders (Reprise)” – Julius
7. “All a Father Wants” – Julius

Act II

8. “Dreams” – Ruby
9. “Sam” – Ruby
10. “Arlene” – Ruby
11. “Julius” – Ruby
12. “Jay” – Ruby
13. “Conclusion” – Ruby

Act III

14. “Rodney King” – Jay and Ensemble
15. “Ain’t Nobody” – Jay
16. “She’d Been Crying” – Jay
17. “Cause He’s Mine” – Jay
18. “Not Guilty” – Scooter, Jay and Ensemble
19. “White Boy” – Jay
20. “The Protest” – Jay
21. “All a Mother Wants” – Ruby
22. “Brothers and Sisters” – Ruby, Julius and Jay
23. “Forward (Reprise)” – Jay, Julius and Ruby
24. “We Shall Stand Together” – Ensemble

  • Musical Style Jazz, Contemporary Broadway

Authors

Harrison David Rivers

Harrison David Rivers

Harrison David Rivers is an award-winning playwright, librettist and television writer based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Harrison’s works include This Bitter Earth (Soho Theatre, Seattle Public, TheaterWorks Hartford, InterAct, About Face, Penumbra, New Conservatory Theatre Cente ...

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Ted Shen

Ted Shen

Ted Shen is a musical theatre composer based in Brooklyn, NY. He retired from a 30-year business career in 1999 to return to his music roots as a jazz musician and composer developed in high school and college. His musical theatre works include A Second Chance (Signature Thea ...

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