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Upholding our heritage….

Young Soul Rising:
The Other Side of the Street
A Musical Drama by Robert L. Douglas
Music by Kali Douglas

Sometimes, moving to the suburbs is not enough to save a young soul from being lost to the worst elements
of urban life. A troubled teen whose family has moved to the suburbs finds himself drawn back into the
violence they were trying so desperately trying to escape. He and his friend are caught up trying to join a
gang and become involved in a life of crime and danger. His sister, great-grandmother and by chance, her
next door neighbor provide some positive influences in his life, but only through tragedy are eyes opened
and an awareness of the right thing achieved. There is rousing music and dance, humor and spirituality
throughout this wonderful play. Its messages are potent and its language appropriate. It is a play ideal for all
ages.

Grandma Rogers’ Neighborhood
By Robert L. Douglas

The latest play by Robert L. Douglas, with music by Chris Knight, made its premiere last season at the
Repertory Theatre of Hope and now returns for encore performances. Ella Rogers has called her
neighborhood home for over fifty years. She knows everyone who has ever lived on her street. She knows
all the parents, all the children and all the grandchildren. She knows their stories, their good times and bad-
their celebrations and their secrets.

They know her as Grandma Rogers. In some way or another, she has been a part of all the lives that have
called her street home over the past fifty years. Now, as she celebrates her 90th birthday, a heartless event
causes some of those lives to reappear. What unfolds are old feelings, old attitudes, unresolved conflicts,
and buried secrets that only Grandma Rogers, in all of her infinite wisdom, can rectify.

Grandma Rogers’ Neighborhood is a play about fulfilling God’s purpose for your life. It is about
reconciliation, family love, forgiveness and acceptance. Emotions run high and low in this warm musical
drama that will have you trying to figure it all out as the play unfolds. The music is wonderful and Grandma
Rogers is a pure joy. You’ll love Grandma Rogers’ Neighborhood.

“I Want My Forty Acres and a Mule! With Interest!”

By Robert L. Douglas

I Want My Forty Acres and a Mule! With Interest!, a musical drama by Robert L. Douglas with music
composed by local pianist Christopher E. Knight, represents the new black theatre experience of good
drama, good music, with messages of social and spiritual significance. Set in urban America, through
environmental circumstances and relationships, the play examines the questions of how things could be
different if African-Americans had been given the forty acres and a mule that was promised from the federal
government. Would we have neighborhoods in decay, poor school systems, inadequate shopping, and so
many single parent families?

Family Love

Written & directed by Robert L. Douglas
with music by Chris Knight & Earl Wright, Jr.
choreographed by Debra White-Hunt

The Bakers, Grandma and Grandpa, Richard, Jr. and Ellen, and their college-age children, Tony and Micki,
are an all-American family encountering some problems and conflicts that threaten the stability of the
family. There is a growing status conflict between Richard, Jr. and Ellen. Tony and Micki are experiencing
the typical struggles of young adult relationships. Grandma and Grandpa Baker observe the growing
problems and offer wisdom, wit, and humor. Their problems are eventually overcome through the strength
and love of the family and God. This lively musical drama instills a sense of family and stresses the
importance of having both parents in the home. It also points up the importance of the extended family
concept and the joy and value of the grandparents. This original musical, with dance by Detroit Windsor
Dance Academy, will make you laugh, cry, and most importantly, think.

A Raisin in the Sun

By

A Raisin in the Sun opened on Broadway on March 11, 1959, ran for 530 performances and was chosen
“Best Play of the Season” by the New York Drama Critics Circle. The Younger family, descendents of
sharecroppers are domestic laborers living in a tenement on the southside of Chicago. Walter Lee wants
to find some manly pride by investing the money from his father’s insurance policy in a liquor store. His
mother, Lena is opposed to it because to her it is immoral and wants to give the money to the church. His
younger sister, Beneatha, wants to use to money to go to medical school and become a doctor. His wife,
Ruth, sees an abortion as a way to save the family money. His son, Travis looks to him as a role model.
The poignant story of a family from “down south” struggling “up north” is classic black theatre at its finest.
Join us in our celebration of our black theatre heritage with A Raisin in the Sun.

Bringin’ The Word:
The Legacy of Black Preachers in Detroit

by Robert L. Douglas
with music by Chris Knight & Alvin B. Waddles, III
choreographed by Debra White-Hunt

A young man, called to the ministry, struggles with the conflicts of a promising career, fun-filled lifestyle and
the call of God to bring the Word. The devil works through his best friends to dissuade him from service to
God. The words and ministries of Detroit’s most prominent black pastors, past and present, offer
inspiration and perspective against the forces of evil. With original music, dancing by the Detroit Windsor
Dance Academy, this rousing musical honors the rich history and legacy of the black church in Detroit and
those magnificent men who built them. This homegrown production was a partnership program
presentation of Detroit 300, celebrating Detroit’s 300th birthday.

Purlie Victorious

By Ossie Davis

Purlie Victorious, a comedy by renowned actor and playwright Ossie Davis, continues the company’s third
season. The play, directed by Robert L. Douglas, is about a self-proclaimed preacher, Purlie Victorious
Judson, who returns home with a lovely young country girl and a scheme to have her pose as his Cousin
Bee so she can claim a family inheritance left in the care of Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee. With the inheritance,
Purlie plans to buy back the old church, Big Bethel. With the help of his brother and sister-law, Gitlow and
Missy Judson, the plan almost works. When it doesn’t the action makes for some very funny situations.
This classic black Broadway play is a timeless comedy that will have you laughing the whole performance.

Pressure Points: Teenage Trials and Triumphs

By Robert L. Douglas

A musical compilation drama with music by Chris Knight and a great young musician, Kali
Douglas. Todays™s teens face all types of pressures, from peers and society. This compilation
of one act plays and monologues depicts some of those pressures. We see the trials and
tribulations, and we see them overcome through positive over negative behavior and influences. A
must see event for all families and teenagers. This original musical, with dance choreographed by
Crystal White, will make you laugh, cry, and most importantly, think.