About The Watsons Go To Birmingham- 1963
The story of the Watsons is one for every family member to see. It's a performance that reminds us of the true purpose of family. We learn through the Watsons the difficulties many African American families faced in the 1960's. We also learn that bravery, tradition, and perseverance are key roles in a family structure. The Watsons teach us the importance of families sticking together and that seeing...even the most difficult things, can lead us to be empowered. We also learn much about the effects of PTSD on African American families throughout the civil rights era.
As I sat, witnessing this amazing performance, which brought me tears for many reasons, I was in awe of the entire production. This is one performance, you do NOT want to miss.
Be sure to go to the Chicago Children's theater and meet the Watsons, an African-American family of five, who live in Flint, Michigan. When oldest son Byron starts getting into trouble, it’s decided he needs to be sent to Birmingham, Alabama to live with his grandma to get set straight. So the whole family – Mama, Daddy, Byron, Kenny and Joetta – sets out on a cross-country journey in the family car, the “Brown Bomber.” When they make it to Birmingham, they find more than they bargained for –a city simmering with tension during the height of the civil rights movement. This powerful story reminds us that during times of crisis, hope reveals itself in the forms of family, friendships, learning, growing and evolving.
Since Chicago Children’s Theatre’s founding, The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 has been the #1 new play request from one of the company’s most important audiences - Chicago teachers. The company’s all-new production of Curtis’s Newbery-winning book debuts March 30-April 18, 2019 at Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine in the city’s West Loop neighborhood. Public performances are Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 2p.m. Exception: No shows Easter Sunday, April 21. Single tickets are $25-$41. Visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call Chicago Children’s Theatre Guest Services, (312) 374-8835, for single tickets, subscriptions, information on school performances and group rates.
The Watsons Go To Birmingham –1963 is appropriate for adults and children 9 years old and up.
About Chicago Children’s Theatre
Chicago Children’s Theatre has transformed the former 12 th District Police Station, located in the heart of Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood at 100 S. Racine Avenue, into its first permanent home. The new Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Station, celebrated its grand opening in January 2017, and now serves as a beautiful, mixed-use performing arts, education and community engagement facility that welcomes all Chicago families. Since its launch in 2005, CCT has cemented its reputation as the city’s largest professional theater company devoted exclusively to children and young families. The company evolved out of Chicago’s need for high-quality, professional children’s programming to match the quality and significance of powerhouses such as Steppenwolf, Goodman and Lookingglass. In 2017, Chicago Children’s Theatre became the first theater for young audiences in the nation to win a National Theatre Award from the American Theatre Wing, creators of the Tony Awards. Chicago Children’s Theatre has built its national reputation due to its focus on new work, producing 19 world premieres in the last 12 years including The Selfish Giant, The Hundred Dresses, Jackie and Me, Dot and Ziggy, The Houdini Box, The Elephant and The Whale (in association with Redmoon), Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money, Leo Lionni’s Frederick, Wonderland, Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure, A Snowy Day with Beatrix Potter, Jabari Dreams of Freedom, Moonshot: A Race to Space, The Year I Didn’t Go To School: A Homemade Circus, My Wonderful Birthday Suit!, An Epic Tale of Scale, Last Stop on Market Street, X Marks the Spot and The World Inside Me (with New York’s Spellbound Theatre). These enjoyed successful inaugural runs in Chicago, many followed by productions at theaters across the U.S. In addition to presenting live shows in The Station’s intimate 149-seat Pritzker Family Studio Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre continues to grow its education and community programs, which are unique in Chicago for emphasizing student authorship, youth empowerment and community leadership. CCT now offers year-round education programming at The Station for ages 0 to 13, including the city’s most diverse roster of classes, specialized workshops, winter and spring break camps, and a full slate of summer camp experiences.
Access Weekend for The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963
Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14. ASL interpretation will be provided Saturday, April 11 at 11 a.m. Open captioning will be provided at the 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. performances on Saturday, April 13. On Sunday, April 14, the 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. performances will be sensory-friendly. A quiet room and family restroom will be available. Behind the scenes of The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963
From the Director of The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963
“I am so happy to bring The Watson’s Go to Birmingham - 1963 to CCT. A novel I read as a kid in 6th grade in Birmingham, it is thrilling to be able to bring home to Chicago,” said director Wardell Julius Clark, who grew up in Fairfield, Alabama, just outside Birmingham, and has personal ties with families affected by the 1963 Birmingham church bombing. “The story deals with family, love, joy and childhood PTSD when innocence is broken. The reality of the America we continue to live in to this day. It is a deeply personal story, with my mother being longtime friends of the McNair family. I am so excited to share this story with Chicago audiences.” Wardell Julius Clark
