Hudson Hall, the former city hall building of Hudson, NY that was renovated and reopened as a performance venue in 2017, is gearing up for a semi-staged production of the musical drama No Cowards in our Band, based on the life and work of abolitionist and activist Frederick Douglass. The work, with a libretto by Anthony Knight, Jr., combines some of Douglass’s writings and speeches along with African-American spirituals. It was premiered by Syracuse Opera and local PBS station WCNY in 2021, with musical direction and arrangements by Wayne Sanders. For the Hudson production on Nov. 2, Philadelphia-based pianist Orrin Evans has been asked to create his own arrangement. A Tempo host Rachel Katz chats with Evans and Hudson Hall Executive Director Tambra Dillon about the production and its relevance.
Musical Drama Production Brings Frederick Douglass's Writings to Center Stage
