CAROLINE OR CHANGE

Race, rage and civil rights are at the heart of this deeply personal (semi-autobiographical) story by Tony Kushner (Pulitzer Prize for Angels in America). This is the story of Caroline Thibodeaux, a divorced mother of four, middle-aged African-American maid who works for a Jewish family – the Gellmans – in (1963) Louisiana. Caroline, a woman resistant to change and conflict, finds herself in the middle of a Gellman family conflict and changes in the world around her. The nation is in the middle of conflict and change: Vietnam, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the Civil Rights Movement.

While the powerful and passion filled subject matter is of significant historic and current importance: Kushner presents this story of change with fanciful, nonrealistic touches such as a singing washing machine, dryer, bus, and moon. This allows the music by Jeanine Tesori (Shrek-the Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Fun Home) to be operetta in nature, with a blending of light hearted, comedic story-telling sung through blues, gospel and traditional Jewish melodies.

Caroline, or Change is appropriate for teens and adults. For an even greater theatre experience read The Watsons Go to Birmingham (1963), by Christopher Curtis Paul or watch the 2014 awarding film Selma.