Photos From Recent SchombUrg show

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Harlem, New York

Vienna Carroll welcomes the audience to the play I can't hear you! Mom Kessie seperating two squabling sisters No slave babies
Cato the barber telling tales Surprised by a maroon no hidin' place run for it! bravo! (click image to see full size) (lighting design: Peter Leonard)

Video Trailer

FOR INDUSTRY REQUESTS & INFORMATION,
Contact Vienna Carroll (646) 926-7026 and info@singinwidasword.com

Singin Wid A Sword In Ma Han is a musical docudrama created by actor, singer, historian, writer and citizen of Harlem USA, Vienna Carroll. A young woman tells her story of love, family and escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad, interweaving the spirituals as escape songs, and showing a surprising range of conductors.

Based upon historical research, this docudrama uses actual characters, sites, and stories of the Underground Railroad from Vienna’s hometown of York, PA. We see Black activists essential to the success of the Underground Railroad and the crucial role of the Black church in Underground Railroad activity. We discover the existence of Blacks living freely in the southern states and of Maroon societies who raid plantations.

The spirituals, a vital resource about freedom stories like these given the paucity of written documentation, drive the story.

The spirituals, a vital resource about freedom stories like these given the paucity of written documentation, drive the story. Singin’ reveals the Spirituals in their natural and authentic circumstance: in the field, cabin or church, by the river, at the camp meeting, singly or in a group: as expressions of the feeling of the moment, the yearning for spiritual release, the desire for freedom, and information and warnings.

For more info email info@SinginWidASword.com

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Singin cast hard at work for for Medgar Evers show

The Singin cast on WBAI radio (click to see larger)

Remembering Dawn

Dawn Bennett
We are sad to report that Our Shining Light, Dawn Bennett, the excellent actress who portrayed "Mizz Kessie" (mother character) in the Fringe Festival version of Singin' Wid A Sword passed away. Ms. Bennett was a founding member and current Executive Director of The American Theatre of Harlem ATH). Dawn was widely admired and loved and will be greatly missed by a great many people and organizations. No flowers please, donations may be sent to Dawn's favorite nonprofits ATH and You Can Thrive.
(click images below to see larger)
Dawn Bennett

AWARDS

By a wide margin
Singin Wid A Sword In
Ma Han won the
Audience Favorite Award out of 201 shows at the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival

REVIEWS

"funny, warm, touching, and engaging"
"Vienna Carroll and Ade Herbert are both gifted and charming performers"
"All the performers have beautiful, resonant voices..." "simply and effectively directed by Keith E. Johnston... skillfully lit by Peter Leonard." (9-17-09) Read entire review.

4 Stars- "Captivating Docudrama"
"The vibrant songs are both moving and catchy." "Anyone who enjoys enthusiastic church choirs and oral storytelling will be singin' along."
(9-17-09) Read entire review.

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Podcast

The Fringe Power Hour Variety Show interviews Vienna Carroll, Director Keith Johnston and the cast. Hear them perform and explain "The Slave Grapevine" and the untold story of how Black people freed ourselves from slavery, their creative process and much more! (8-18-09; 35 min.)

Variety Power Hour Live #1

FringeNYC

Music

Jazzy version of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (excerpt from above interview).

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Featured at the First Annual Underground Railroad Festival on Juneteenth 2010
www.UndergroundRailroadFestival.org