Theatre for Young Audiences is presenting a musical which demonstrates that people from different backgrounds have important things to teach each other.
“Four Score and Seven Years Ago” runs Tuesday through Jan. 20 at Theatre at the Center in Munster. It tells the story of Lemuel, a runaway slave, and is produced by New Jersey-based ArtsPower.
Settled in Gettysburg, Lemuel craves the right to vote and wants to fight in the Union Army. His beliefs about the North and South, as well as what it means to be a free man, are challenged when he unexpectedly befriends Jacob, a Confederate soldier.
The two young men may be of different races and supporting different sides in the Civil War, but “they have much to teach each other about bravery and loyalty,” states ArtsPower’s website.
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“Four Score and Seven Years Ago” deals with “the conflicts between patriotism and pacifism,” according to a news release. Lemuel and Jacob “manage to bridge their political differences when they discover that they both grew up in the same Georgia county,” the release said.
Their differing views of war are woven into the song “How Can You Lose With God on Your Side.”
The show educates, as well as entertains, said Charlie Misovye, group sales coordinator at the theater center.
“We always try to do a show that is basically an extension of the classroom curriculum,” he said.
“It’s not just another field trip; it is a witnessing of history live, on stage.”
The presentation of “Four Score and Seven Years Ago” is done in conjunction with Martin Luther King Day.
Mark Blackman, producer of the touring musical, said the intent is to have students draw a life lesson.
“We hope that they’ll walk away with a sense of what prejudice means, and what it does to people,” said Blackman, who, along with identical twin brother Gary, created ArtsPower in 1985.
Blackman describes the music in “Four Score and Seven years Ago” as “very kind of Americana,” with roots in the 19th century.
“It certainly has a period sound to it,” he said.
Grammy-nominated John Forster wrote the score and lyrics. “Into the Light,” which features Forster’s lyrics, has been performed on Broadway.
Although primarily designed for 4th through 12th graders in school groups, the musical is open to the public. Misovye said those interested should call him at 219-836-3258 for tickets.
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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‘Four Score and Seven Years Ago’
Where: Theatre at the Center in The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster
When: 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Tuesdayand Wednesday; 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday and Jan. 20
Tickets: School group: $6.50 students, $8 adults; $5.50 a student for 100 or more paid student reservations. Public admission: $7.50 students/children, $9.50 adults.
Information: 219-836-3255, www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com