The Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum is proud to present the 1619 The Musical by Ted Williams III. The show will be presented Saturday, January 27 at 7 pm and Sunday, January 28 at 2 pm in the
LRS Theatre at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. The production is sponsored by Spencer Theatre Company.
Three modern characters lead audience members on a journey through multiple performance pieces leaving viewers both inspired and challenged about the progress of America’s African sons and daughters. With an appeal to all ages, 1619 features a dynamic cast of singers, actors, dancers, and spoken word artists, who reflect on the past while tackling critical contemporary social issues.
WHO
Ted Williams III is the 1619 producer and created the musical performance during his teaching sabbatical project at Kennedy-King College (KKC). Williams is Chairman of the Social Science Department and a Professor of Political Science at KKC, and has taught at various area universities. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago and Rutgers University. Formerly,
Williams hosted the WYCC-PBS television program, The Professors. Williams is a highly requested speaker and actor and has appeared in national commercials for companies including Subway, Cheerios, and Empire Carpet. He recently appeared in Human Zoos, The Christmas Thief, Chicago P.D, and The Chi. Williams is the author of the production TORN the Musical and of the book The Way Out: Christianity, Politics, and the Future of the African American Community. He is a former
candidate for the Chicago City Council.
The show will be presented at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, located at
420 South Sixth Street in Springfield. Show dates and times: Saturday, January 27th
at 7 pm and Sunday, January 28 at 2 pm. Tickets are $30 for adults and $27
for seniors over 60 and students. Tickets can be purchased by calling
217523-2787 or online at hcfta.org
VIP Tickets include: backstage access to meet performers, a 1619 T-Shirt and CD
Sponsors: Spencer Theatre Company
Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum
What audiences have said…
“I was on the edge of my seat and my eyes filled with tears of joy. I am in
awe of the magnificent performance I just witnessed. This belongs on
Broadway.” -Christine Houston, Creator of NBC’s hit sitcom “227”
1619 written, produced and directed by Ted Williams III is one of most
powerful performances that I have seen that encapsulates the African
American journey from the perspective of history, ideology, politics and
culture ethos, and does so in an entertaining way. Unlike monolithic
productions that tend to appeal to only one target audience, the
intergenerational quality of this production has something in it for
everyone… If you want to celebrate the past and be challenged in the
present with a view toward the future, you must see this production. -Rev.
Dr. Brian J. Wells, designated pastor at Carver Memorial Presbyterian
Church
