'Fannie Lou' Musical

Voting Rights Activist

Fannie Lou Hamer, the central character in the musical Fannie Lou, is a leading figure in the voting rights movement. She decides to vote, for the very first time in her life, at the age of 44 after attending a local meeting. However, when she and a group of 17 other local residents travel to the county seat to attempt to register, they are turned away. The action in Fannie Lou picks up after this rejection. During the course of the musical Fannie Lou displays her faith, her stalwart determination, and her dedication. At one point she also reveals a lighter side, which is needed to survive the chaos her community faces as it marches towards change. In "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou: At Carnegie Hall" the character Fannie Lou is portrayed by Karen Stefano.
 

A Friend of Fannie Lou's

Laura is a bit more timid than Fannie Lou and she's not quite as sure as Fannie Lou is about the African-American community's pursuit of voting rights. She believes that in time, with less pressure, voting rights will eventually come. Perhaps that is because Laura, a widow, has the futures of her sons, ages 17 and 12, in the forefront of her mind. She's more of a "go along to get along" type. Nevertheless, Laura is a God-fearing woman, and she stands up for what she believes is right. Because of that, she offers her home to Fannie Lou as a place to stay after Fannie Lou loses her job and is kicked out of her own residence because of her voting rights activities. In "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou: At Carnegie Hall," the character Laura is portrayed by Felicia Hunter, standing in for Cheri Hunter.  

Laura's 17-year-old Son

Junior has a problem. In fact, he has several. He doesn't like where he lives. He doesn't like his circumstances. He doesn't like the restrictions placed on his existence. One would think that he'd be all for activities that attempt to lift those restrictions -- such as voting rights. But he's not. Junior is steadfastly against the grown-ups' attempts to register to vote. Why? Because he doesn't think they have any chance whatsoever of succeeding. He believes they're wasting their time. Because of a tragedy in his past, his own vision is restricted and he can't see that the community is trying to ensure he has a chance for a better future. In "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou: At Carnegie Hall" the character Junior is portrayed by Jonathan Rodriguez.

College-Student Volunteer

Pamela is one of several college students who travel South from the North to help with the voting rights movement during the summer. But Pam, who is from Pennsylvania, was so stricken by the circumstances she's seen in Missisippi and so impacted by the people she's encountered, that she's decided to take some time off from school and continue working with the movement beyond her original one-summer commitment. She is caring, she is idealistic, she is exuberant. But while in Mississippi in the early 1960's, she learns that pursing goals also must incorporate being realistic. In "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou: At Carnegie Hall" the character Pamela is portrayed by Claire Duncan.

Local Voting-Rights Leader

Unquestionably the leader of the local voting rights movement, Rev. Hill is looked up to as a pillar in the community. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have his faults. He can be arrogant. He can be classist. He can be sexist. He doesn't stop to think how such prejudices can further create fissures in a community already torn by racism. But he loves his community, and he will do anything for it -- even lay his own life on the line, if necessary. In "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou: At Carnegie Hall" the character Rev. Hill is portrayed by Michael Moss.

Voting-Rights Resister

The wealthiest man in the county, Mr. Richards is used to having his own way. What he says, goes. How dare these voting-rights trouble-makers attempt to disturb the peace in the community that he's overseen all these years. Well, he'll teach them a thing or two. And if people have to suffer because of it, so be it. They have to learn their lesson -- regardless of the cost. In "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou: At Carnegie Hall" the character Mr. Richards is portrayed by Dean Temple.

Wife of Mr. Richards

Being the wife of the richest, most powerful man in the county has its perks, but that is of little concern to Mrs. Richards. She loves her husband dearly, and her most important task is keeping him happy. And right now, he's not happy. All of the voting-rights nonsense going on has gotten him rattled, and Mrs. Richards wants to try to help calm him. She does that the best way she knows how, by confronting one of the participants in the movement -- unbeknownst to her husband. Will her intervention be successful? In "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou: At Carnegie Hall" the character Mrs. Richards is portrayed by Lynn Flickinger.

County Jail Inmate

When it comes to brain vs. brawn, Clarence definitely utilizes more of the latter than the former. He's easily pliable, and will fall for just about anything he's told. He doesn't stop to think about it, analyze it, or just consider it within the realm of common sense. So, when Clarence is ordered to commit an act of violence against Fannie Lou, it makes sense for him to do so. She deserves it. That's what he was told, isn't it? In "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou: At Carnegie Hall" the character Clarence is portrayed by Michael Moss.

Newspaper Reporter Covering Local Events

The Reporter considers himself an objective professional. When he first received the assignment to cover voting rights activities in Sunflower County, Mississippi, the Reporter thought it would be cut and dry. Area residents would stir things up for a few days, maybe a week or so, then they'd go home. He hadn't yet met Fannie Lou Hamer. When the Reporter does meet her, and learns a little bit about her life, he's forced to reconsider his stereotypical assumptions. In "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou: At Carnegie Hall" the character of the Reporter is portrayed by Jacob Berger. 

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Richards

As scion of the wealthiest family in the county, David Richards also is heir to a position of great leadership and responsibility. Nevermind that he might have views that differ from his father's. In fact, any mode of thinking that might veer from his father's must be discarded. But in the current climate, how long can David's emerging thoughts about justice and fairness be suppressed? In "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou: At Carnegie Hall" the character David Richards is portrayed by Robert Rice.

Profiles of the cast members mentioned above, as well as other cast members the Oct. 9, 2014 performance of "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou: At Carnegie Hall" can be found here.