'Voices of Zion' creates immersive musical theater experience
The history of Mt. Zion UMC, the area’s oldest African American congregation, will be part of a new immersive musical theatre experience that premieres April 16 on Washington D.C.’s Emancipation Day.
Produced by New Music-Theater, the production, “Voices of Zion,” gives voice to the long-overlooked historic Black community and key figures, many of whom are buried in the Mt. Zion & Female Union Band Society cemeteries.
In addition to the “traveling feast” of stories, music, and “procession,” the production offers up the spirit of Voices of Zion as a way of coming together for fellowship and conversation about the work still needed in this city and beyond for equity, justice, and healing.
Voices of Zion focuses on the 19th-century history of Georgetown and layers the stories of several identified figures: Female Union Band Society (FUBS) leader Mary Burrell (whose monument keeps watch over the cemetery), Hannah Pope and her husband Alfred Pope (known for being one of the orchestrators in ‘The Pearl Affair,’) the astute Mary Beckett, “The Mayor of Black Georgetown” Charles Turner, teacher and abolitionist Mary Billings, and a trio of FUBS members: Gracy Duckett, Matilda Cartwright, and Mother Nannie Diggs.
Their stories illustrate the complexities of Georgetown's history, a community comprised of enslaved and freed men and women, who at times were living, working, and worshipping together. The work also exposes the rifts within the Old Methodist Church and indeed throughout America -- between abolitionists and segregationists, slave owners and those they enslaved, and between Union and Confederate sympathizers.
Dates and Tickets:
The Voices of Zion previews on Saturday, April 16, at 7 pm at THEARC Theater, 1901 Mississippi Ave SE in Anacostia. The preview is being offered at the East of the River special rate of $25 per ticket. Tickets for the preview are now available at: https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/tix/6046/event/1262051
Following the preview, immersive performances will be offered in Georgetown on the evenings of May 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 starting at 7 pm. A special final performance at 2 pm on Memorial Day, May 30 will include the traditional Black ritual laying of flowers.
On-site performances start in the Mt. Zion & Female Union Band Society cemeteries (2501 Mill Rd NW. entrance off of Q & 27nd Streets,) with an introduction to the characters before the audience joins in a procession to Dumbarton UMC (3133 Dumbarton St NW) for Part II of the work where the orchestra and members of the two church choirs will join the ensemble.
For this moveable feast, wear comfortable shoes for the cemetery and be prepared to walk through Georgetown for approximately 15 minutes. In case of inclement weather, all May performances will be held at Dumbarton UMC.
All tickets for the immersive performances are available at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/tix/6046/event/1262051.
For group sale discounts contact or call 202-256-7614
The Alliance for New Music-Theatre believes that through collaboration and in partnership with key arts organizations, embassies, and other institutions, we can transform the capital into a world-class center for cross-fertilization in the arts. We can create opportunities for new voices and bring stories to the stage that matter -- with music that breaks open hearts. We share a vision that through bold and healing art-making and practices we improve our community and the globe. To learn more about the show, go to https://www.newmusictheatre.org/voicesofzion
Voices of Zion is supported, in part, by a grant from the Baltimore-Washington Conference’s Young People’s Ministry.