April 23rd, 2015

Mandela, the Musical is a new musical (written in 2014) for elementary students by our very own Ms. Green! Breslau’s production will include singing, acting, and dancing by students in grade 5 to 8, accompanied by the grade 7 and 8 orchestra.

The musical begins in the early days of the African National Congress (A.N.C.) when Mandela is juggling his responsibilities with the organization and his career as a lawyer. As apartheid (the system of separating people based on race) gains a foothold in South Africa, we see the reactions of the Africans (black South Africans) and Africaners (white South Africans, descended from predominantly Dutch settlers). Because Mandela and his friends at the A.N.C. continue to criticize the government about black domination, they are forced to go underground and are eventually captured and put in jail. When Mandela is released 27 years later, he leads the country through volatile times, resulting in the dismantling of apartheid and the first democratic election where Mandela is elected as president. It is a story of perseverance, determination, social justice, hope, and forgiveness.

 

Our dress rehearsal will be on May 12th with our family performance at noon on May 13th.  A letter will be going home with children about details.  Come join us for this exciting opportunity!