SOULS OF BLACK FOLKS...
1776 UNSUNG
by Douglas Rucker
Overview
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Souls of Black Folks… 1776 Unsung is a musical theatre concert that brings the overlooked stories of Black men and women of the American Revolution to the stage. Set against the backdrop of the fight for American independence and the 1777 Battle of Germantown, the production explores the complicated promise of liberty for African Americans who fought, sacrificed, and shed blood for a freedom they were often denied themselves.
Blending a fictional narrative with historical accounts, original and period music, African American spirituals, spoken word, and theatrical storytelling, 1776 Unsung gives voice to Black revolutionaries whose contributions have too often been left out of the traditional telling of America’s founding.
The production also examines the contradictions embodied by George Washington—a leader fighting for liberty while participating in slavery—and explores the evolution of his relationship to the institution later in his life.
Created in commemoration of Philadelphia’s 250th anniversary and Germantown’s place in Revolutionary history, Souls of Black Folks… 1776 Unsung asks audiences to confront a fundamental question at the heart of the American story: What did freedom mean to the Black people who fought for it before they themselves were free?
