Main Street Theater (MST) is staging Christopher Paul Curtis’ powerful novel The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, adapted by Reginald André Jackson. A fictionalization of the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, Curtis’ novel won the Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King Awards.
“The best way to initiate change is to educate our young people,” offers Vivienne M. St. John, MST Theater for Youth Artistic Director. “Racism and hatred are still very prevalent in our society. If this play does anything, I hope it’s to teach our youth to stand up for others, to show compassion and empathy, and to listen.”
Performances will be held at MST’s MATCH location, 3400 Main St., Houston, TX 77002 on Sundays, Jan. 23 & 30 and Feb. 13 at 2:30pm. Recommended for Fifth Grade and older. All tickets are on sale via phone at 713.524.6706 or online at MainStreetTheater.com. Tickets are $18 - $28. Group rates are available. No children under 3 are admitted in the theater (including sleeping babies). All audience members are required to wear masks inside the theater. (Performances are also available for school groups and homeschools. Call 713.524.9196 ext 1 or visit the website.)
Main Street Theater also offers Accommodations Performances:
Sensory-Friendly / Relaxed Performance: Jan. 30 at 2:30pm
ASL & Audio Described Performance: Feb. 13 at 2:30pm (email
About The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963
It’s 1963 and the Watsons, an African-American family, journey from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama to take their troublesome son, Byron, to live with his grandmother, a trip that lands them in one of the darkest moments in America’s racial history. Recommended for Fifth Grade and older.
About the Production
Rachel H. Dickson directs. The cast includes Algy Alfred, Michael Hunter, Jessica T. Johnson, Kierra McKay, Joyce Anastasia Murray, Devin-Judy Norwood, Camryn Nunley, Steven J. Scott, and Christian Simon. The design team is Lee O Barker (set design), Janess Harris (lighting design), Krystal Uchem (costume design), Ricjuane Jenkins (sound design), and Tabitha Bounds (properties design). Curmira Bill is the stage manager.
