The Moods of Dotts Johnson in Song

This concert reading is free and open to the public. The presentation will be followed by a talkback with the creative team; all audience members are welcome to stay and attend.

Actor, composer, and singer Dotts Johnson made cinematic history as the African American GI in Roberto Rossellini's 1946 film "Paisan," but he also had a long and wide-ranging career in American theatre, TV, film, radio, and music recording that has largely fallen out of view. This new musical, "The Moods of Dotts Johnson in Song," dramatizes Dotts Johnson's life and contributions to the performing arts, featuring original arrangements of memorable jazz and blues songs composed and recorded by Johnson (such as "Make Believe Dreams" and "Jive Time Blues"), as well as new songs composed for the musical by acclaimed jazz musician Etienne Charles. Drawing on new scholarly research, this biographical musical tells the story of Dotts Johnson's struggle to forge an artistic home for himself in the US and of his decades-long relationship with white Canadian actor and civil rights activist Madeleine Sherwood. This narrative is interwoven with the story of Johnson's granddaughter, soprano Dr. Luvada A. Harrison, as she embarks on a journey to discover- through research and performance- the grandfather she never really knew. Notably, Dr. Harrison is one of the co-creators of this project, and will perform the role of herself in the first production of the musical.

The concert reading, directed by Tom W. Jones II with music direction by Byron Thomas, will feature performances from actors Earl Hazell (Dotts), Luvada Harrison (Luvada), and Kathy Wilson (Madeleine) and from musicians Jeff Drew (bass) and DeShawndre Hill (drums).

The musical was created by UA faculty Robin Behn, Luvada Harrison, Yolanda Manora, Claudia Romanelli, and Erin Stoneking, with music by Dotts Johnson and Etienne Charles.

This event is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, and by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.