WRITTEN BY: SUSAN CHARLOTTE
DIRECTED BY: ANTONY MARSELLIS
Based on the case of Marty Garbus
A deeply compelling play that combines a drama about voter suppression with lyrics from the song, “Oxford Town,” written by musical icon, Bob Dylan.
FOR TICKETS: CALL (646) 336-9340 or EMAIL: info@causecelebreproductions.org
DATE: June 14th at 7:00pm
LOCATION: ETHICAL CULTURAL SOCIETY, 2 West 64th Street
LIVE GUITAR plays in background. “SOMEBODY BETTER INVESTIGATE SOON”
– lyrics from a haunting song provide a Greek chorus throughout the play.
THE TIME — 1960’s. THE PLACE — Mississippi.
CAST:
Greg Mullavey
Nesha Ward
Larry Pine
Jon Stewart
Michael Citriniti
“Oxford Town” was written about James Meredith, the first black person admitted to Mississippi U. in 1962. As Dylan said, the song, “deals with the Meredith case and then again it doesn’t. It could have happened at any time.” Riots erupted, two men were killed.
“Two men died ‘neath the Mississippi moon.”
Bob Dylan, in his song, “Oxford Town”
The rampant racism continued and in 1965, Henrietta Wright, was arrested in from of the Last Chance Cafe, a small store owned by her husband and herself. The reason, she was told, was due to a traffic violation.
She had not stopped for a red light!
The real reason — Mrs, Wright registered to vote.
A fabricated traffic violation led to a violation of a black woman’s civil rights.
She was assaulted, committed to a psychiatric ward (due to the lies of two doctors) and then served time in prison.
Mrs. Wright, a young woman in her 30’s, had the courage to file
a complaint with the ACLU against two police men and two doctors.
Martin Garbus, a young New York lawyer who worked for the ACLU, flew to Oxford, Mississippi.
He then drove one hour to a small town in Mississippi in order to represent Henrietta Wright.
He warned this young woman that her chances of winning were next to nothing.
But, as Dylan wrote, “Somebody better investigate.”
Garbus told Mrs. Wright that thought they would not win, they would make a strong statement. This is indeed what happened.
“The ominous Mississippi night which had so often harbored black men, hanging from their necks, the burning Cross, the vicious beating, had lost some of its threat for Mr. and Mrs. Wright.”
Martin Garbus
Sixty years later this play could not be more relevant.
Don’t miss an incredible evening of drama, live music, and the profound, prophetic words of Bob Dylan.
The show will be followed by a discussion with legendary lawyer Martin Garbus, best-selling author, journalist, and social commentator Ellis Cose, the cast, and the author of the play.