Would you get on the bus?
FREEDOM RIDERS: THE CIVIL RIGHTS MUSICAL tells the true story of activists who boldly challenged the legality and optics of the Jim Crow South by riding buses in mixed groups. It features Civil Rights icons Diane Nash, John Seigenthaler, John Lewis, Congress of Racial Equality’s original 13 riders, and other fearless activists of the Civil Rights Movement. FREEDOM RIDERS is a soaring portrait of the fearless voices of the Movement who used nonviolent direct action to initiate change.
Recommended for ages 16+
Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes

The 2017 New York Musical Festival, which runs July 10 through August 6, will bring audiences four full weeks of new musicals, concerts, readings, and panel discussions. We spoke with Taran Gray and Richard Allen about their musical Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical. Tell us about your show! FREEDOM RIDERS: The Civil Rights Musical tells the story of activists in 1961 who boldly challenged the legality and optics of the Jim Crow South by riding buses in mixed groups. The music is a mix of soul, pop and RnB that at times will remind you of John Legend, other times an incredible church service. It is galvanizing, anthemic, and full of hope. What was the first musical that made you want to make musicals? Taran: My dad has been the lighting designer and director of production at Lambs Player Theater in San Diego since before I was born. So musicals have always been around and mesmerizing to me since before I can remember. Because of that I think I was conditioned to believe that creating and performing a musical was achievable. Richard: For me it was being in Showboat. I emotionally connected to the story and just thought it highlighted issues we should be talking about in a bea …Read more