3 Reasons to Give Uncle Jed’s Barbershop This Christmas
Uncle Jed was the only black barber in the county. And he had a dream. Living in the segregated South of the 1920’s, Uncle Jed had to travel all over the county to cut his customers’ hair. He lived for the day when he could open his very own barbershop. But Uncle Jed encountered setback after setback that delayed his dream. However, not even the Great Depression could force him to give up on his dream. Uncle Jed finally opened his barbershop after saving for years and years. The community celebrated with him and so did his niece, Sarah Jean.
Uncle Jed’s Barbershop is a stirring story of dreams long deferred and finally realized.
Here are three reasons to give Uncle Jed’s Barbershop to the child on your Christmas list.
- Uncle Jed’s Barbershop inspires children to dream great dreams for their lives and realize that those dreams can come true. I will always remember the girl in Little Rock, Arkansas who said to me, “I want to be a doctor when I grow up, but my Grandmama says I will never be one. Now I know I can be a doctor.”
- An award-winning musical has been adapted from Uncle Jed’s Barbershop. The most recent honor is a Henry Award nomination for Outstanding New Musical. Theatre critics say: “Get ready for some toe-tapping fun!” – “Uncle Jed’s Barbershop leaps from the bookshelf to the stage!” –
- James Ransome’s wonderful richly colored paintings bring the story to life.
Learn about Uncle Jed’s Barbershop
Learn about Uncle Jed’s Barbershop Musical
The Music Of Uncle Jed’s Barbershop
The music of Uncle Jed’s Barbershop exemplifies the rich cultural heritage of African American music. In honor of African American Music Appreciation Month, I’m taking a moment to highlight the music in Uncle Jed’s Barbershop, a new family musical created by David Wohl, Kenneth Grimes, and Susan Einhorn and adapted from my book of the same name. Inspired by the music of the 1920’s through the early 1960’s, the musical is uplifting, sizzling, and glorious!
The songs hook you with their rich creativity. An evening at the Uncle Jed’s Barbershop musical is completely satisfying, with theater music influenced by blues, gospel, jazz, spirituals, bebop, and a variety of pop and classical influences.
A joyous celebration of music, the actors deliver emotional punch in every song. But don’t take my word for it. Below are quotes from theatre critics, theater goers, and the creators of the show.
“When the creators of Uncle Jed’s Barbershop decided it was time to finally, fully stage their unapologetically sentimental new family musical, they weren’t messing around. Their cast features Broadway veterans Ken Prymus, Nora Cole, and Terry Burrell, along with a host of local stalwarts including Mary Louise Lee, Harvy Blanks, Leonard Barrett Jr. and Anna High. And they weren’t messing around when they unearthed a then 12-year-old named Yasmine Hunter to share with Lee the leading role of Sarah Jean. Lee brought the backbone and Hunter brought down the house on a solo called ‘I Will Go Where You Go’.” – John Moore, Theatre Critic
“Get ready for some toe-tapping fun! The brainchild of composer David Wohl and co-creators Kenneth Grimes and Sarah Einhorn, this heartwarming performance tells a story of faith, determination and family to the backdrop of a soulful score that traverses decades of musical styles. Theater-goers will find themselves immersed in the story of Sarah Jean Carter and her Uncle Jed, who dreams of one day opening his own barbershop.” – Denver Life Magazine
“Uncle Jed’s Barbershop leaps from the bookshelf to the stage! Colorado composer David Wohl drew inspiration from the music of the 1920’s and 30’s for the score.” – Colorado Public Radio
“Uncle Jed’s Barbershop, an award-winning play, is an inspiring story which all families can learn from. This is the type of show where you don’t get bored. It will get you up and get you moving.” – Good Day Colorado, Fox 31 Denver
“Oh, my God! I have never been to a play where I was so caught up in the music! It touched my soul! I had to go back the next day. The music gripped me even more. I was completely swept back in time. I was mesmerized.” Ira Johnson, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
“Uncle Jed’s Barbershop is a stage play the whole family can enjoy. Loaded with life lessons about perseverance, financial, and personal struggles, the music ties everything together. It is fantastic.” – L. R. Henderson, Houston, TX
“This is a show whose family, community, and generational story lines and dynamics tell a powerful and moving universal story for all people of all times. The music is theater music that is both eclectic and ‘rooted’. Influences include blues, spirituals, romantic music, gospel, Motown, country, and so forth. The main purpose of every musical number is to advance plot and to continually fill out the lives of the characters.” – David Wohl, Finale Blog
“To do this show has really been a faith walk. We don’t have systems of support in place to really help independent artists to pull off productions on this scale. We are hopeful that this will launch us to take it nationally.” – Kenneth Grimes, Denver Urban Spectrum
To learn more about the new musical, Uncle Jed’s Barbershop, and its music, visit: Uncle Jed’s Barbershop, A New Musical
June Is African American Music Appreciation Month
President Obama has issued a proclamation naming June as African American Music Appreciation Month. Now is a great time to teach children about the contributions to music made by people of color.
When Grandmama Sings tells one such story. Set in the 1940’s, Belle is going to spend the summer touring the South with her grandmother and a swing jazz band. Belle has never been outside Pecan Flats, Mississippi. And she can’t wait to go on the road with Grandmama. There are so many new things to see on their travels through the Deep South. But some things aren’t new. Everything is segregated, just like at home. But Grandmama stands up for what’s right.
At the end of the tour, Grandmama says, “Belle, tonight was special. I could feel all of those folks with me. I want us to feel this way all the time. I want to sing in a place where black people and white people aren’t kept apart. That’s the kind of world I want for you.”
President Obama’s official proclamation is below:
A vital part of our Nation’s proud heritage, African-American music exemplifies the creative spirit at the heart of American identity and is among the most innovative and powerful art the world has ever known. It accompanies us in our daily lives, and it has rung out at turning points in our history and demonstrated how our achievements as a culture go hand-in-hand with our progress as a Nation.
During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we honor the artists who, through this music, bring us together, show us a true reflection of ourselves, and inspire us to reach for the harmony that lies beyond our toughest struggles.
Songs by African-American musicians span the breadth of the human experience and resonate in every corner of our nation — animating our bodies, stimulating our imaginations, and nourishing our souls. In the ways they transform real stories about real people into art, these artists speak to universal human emotion and the restlessness that stirs within us all. African-American music helps us imagine a better world, and it offers hope that we will get there together.
This month, we celebrate the music that reminds us that our growth as a Nation and as people is reflected in our capacity to create great works of art. Let us recognize the performers behind this incredible music, which has compelled us to stand up — to dance, to express our faith through song, to march against injustice, and to defend our country’s enduring promise of freedom and opportunity for all.
Now, therefore, I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2016 as African-American Music Appreciation Month.
I call upon public officials, educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs that raise awareness and foster appreciation of music that is composed, arranged, or performed by African-Americans.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
Actors From Uncle Jed’s Barbershop Musical Win 2015 True West Awards
I’m so excited! Mary Louise Lee and Yasmine Hunter are 2015 True West Award Winners for their performances in Uncle Jed’s Barbershop, A New Musical. Below are excerpts from the article on denvercenter.org announcing their win.
2015 True West Awards: Mary Louise Lee and Yasmine Hunter
by John Moore | Dec 20, 2015
2015 TRUE WEST AWARDS: 30 DAYS, 30 BOUQUETS Today’s recipient: Mary Louise Lee and Yasmine Hunter Uncle Jed’s Barbershop Today’s award presenter: DCPA Senior Arts Journalist John Moore
Let’s get this first part out of the way: Yes, Mary Louise Lee happens to be married to the mayor of Denver. But this First Lady is second to no one when it comes to that voice. Lee’s professional stage cred dates back to being hired to perform in Beehive The Musical at the now Garner-Galleria Theatre when she was still a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School.
When they invite Lee to sing the national anthem before 78,000 Broncos fans, or to sing on America’s Got Talent, or to join the cast of the national touring production of The Million Dollar Quartet onstage at the Buell Theatre, it’s certainly not because her high-school sweetheart won an election.
It’s because she’s Mary Louise Lee.
Lee’s lengthy theater resume includes work at the DCPA, Arvada Center, Country Dinner Playhouse and theaters around the country. The Mary Louise Lee Band has been knocking out blues covers like “Chain of Fools” from military bases worldwide to the 2004 Democratic National Convention. She is choir Director at the New Hope Baptist Church, and founder of “Bringin’ Back the Arts,” a foundation that encourages arts education in the public schools.
When the creators of Uncle Jed’s Barbershop decided it was time to finally, fully stage their unapologetically sentimental new family musical at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre, they weren’t messing around. Their cast featured Broadway veterans Ken Prymus (Cats, Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Wiz), Nora Cole (Jelly’s Last Jam, On The Town) and Terry Burrell (seven Broadway credits including the original DreamGirls), along with a host of local stalwarts including Lee, Harvy Blanks, Leonard Barrett Jr. and Anna High.
And they weren’t messing around when they unearthed a then 12-year-old named Yasmine Hunter to share with Lee the leading role of Sarah Jean.
Uncle Jed’s Barbershop follows Sarah Jean’s life dating to her childhood in rural Arkansas, where Uncle Jed was the only black barber in a segregated county. The sharecropper’s dream was to open his own barbershop, but instead he freely gave up his savings to pay for emergency medical care that saved Sarah’s life at age 5. Sarah Jean then struggles to reconcile her past in the decades that follow.
Lee is not easily intimidated – and young Hunter was clearly not daunted to share the role of Sarah Jean with her. Lee brought the backbone and Hunter brought down the house on a solo called “I Will Go Where You Go.” Lee said working with Hunter, a four-year member of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Choir, was a complete joy. “She’s funny and congenial, and extremely talented,” she said. “This girl has such a bright future.”
Margaree King Mitchell, author of the award-winning source book, has seen every iteration of this developing music, but this newest incarnation made her feel as if she were seeing it for the first time because of the caliber and exuberance of the company. “The high-spirited music and soul-stirring singing took me back in time,” she said. “The incomparable Mary Louise Lee and Yasmine Hunter brought Sarah Jean to life as she dreamed right along with Uncle Jed.”
Uncle Jed’s Barbershop, which has high ambitions for a continued life, is written by Kenneth Grimes, David Wohl and Susan Einhorn, who is also the director. For more information, click here.
John Moore was named one of the 12 most influential theater critics in the U.S by American Theatre Magazine in 2011. He has since taken a groundbreaking position as the Denver Center’s Senior Arts Journalist.
ABOUT THE TRUE WEST AWARDS The True West Awards began as the Denver Post Ovation Awards in 2001. This year, DCPA Senior Arts Journalist John Moore — along with additional voices from around the state — celebrate the entire local theatre community by recognizing 30 achievements from around the state over 30 days, without categories or nominations. Moore’s daily coverage of the DCPA and the Colorado theatre community can be found at MyDenverCenter.Org
This Christmas Give The Book That Inspired An Award-Winning Musical
Sarah Jean’s Uncle Jed was the only black barber in the county. He had a kind heart and a warm smile. And he had a dream. Living in the segregated South of the 1920’s, where most people were sharecroppers, Uncle Jed had to travel all over the county to cut his customers’ hair. He lived for the day when he could open his very own barbershop. But it was a long time, and many setbacks, from five-year-old Sarah Jean’s emergency operation to the bank failures of the Great Depression, before the joyful day when Uncle Jed opened his shiny new shop – and twirled a now grown-up Sarah Jean around in the barber chair.
Uncle Jed’s Barbershop has received numerous awards, including a Coretta Scott King Honor Book Award, the Living The Dream Book Award, the Charlie May Simon Honor Book Award, and is a featured Reading Rainbow book.
Readers are saying:
“Now I know how to explain to my dad that I will never give up on my dreams.” -Z. Chowhury, 4th grade
“As a mother and teacher I have never read a book for children that was so rich in content and emotion.” -M. Berkowitz, New jersey
“When I read that book I started back believing in my dream.” -T. Allen, 3rd grade
“When I first read this book back in elementary school I loved it and still do. I am a college sophomore now. Ms. Mitchell had come to our school. She wrote ‘Never Give Up On Your Dreams’ in my book. I’m following that dream by going to college.” -A. Jones
A musical has been adapted from Uncle Jed’s Barbershop. It has won the following awards:
- ASCAP/Disney Workshop Winner
- O’Neill Musical Theatre Conference Finalist
- Richard Rodgers Award Finalist
- National Music Theater Network’s Director’s Choice Award Winner
- Featured Show in the New York Musical Theater Festival
Uncle Jed’s Barbershop opened to rave reviews in Denver at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre – September, 2015.
For more information:
Uncle Jed’s Barbershop musical
All Roads Lead To Denver & Uncle Jed’s Barbershop
9 Reasons To See Uncle Jed’s Barbershop, A New Musical
Uncle Jed’s Barbershop is a new family musical coming to Denver’s Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theater, Sept. 26 – Oct. 18, 2015.
Set in rural Arkansas near the Mississippi Delta, Uncle Jed’s Barbershop tells the story of Sarah Jean and her Uncle Jed, the only black barber in the county. Uncle Jed has a dream of opening his own barbershop. Even though he meets with setback after setback, he doesn’t give up on his dream.
I’m excited to see the characters I created in my book come alive on stage. I have followed the show through its development phase and have always appreciated the hard work and dedication the show’s creators have invested into making it a reality. I’ll be in Denver to see the show.
Here are 9 reasons why you should see it too:
1) Uncle Jed’s Barbershop is a new family musical adapted from the award-winning book Uncle Jed’s Barbershop by Margaree King Mitchell, illustrated by James Ransome, published by Simon & Schuster. The book has received numerous awards including a Coretta Scott King Honor Book Award, the Living The Dream Book Award, and is a featured Reading Rainbow book.
2) The creative team of David Wohl, Kenneth Grimes, and Susan Einhorn, who shepherded the show into an award-winning musical. From the ASCAP/Disney workshop winner to a finalist in the O’Neill Musical Theatre Conference, to a finalist in the Richard Rodgers Awards, to winner of the National Music Theater Network’s Director’s Choice Award, to the New York Musical Theater Festival, the show has wowed audiences with its soaring and soulful music. David Wohl says, “Uncle Jed’s Barbershop is your story, the story of everyone who had a dream and achieved it. We are absolutely certain that your story will never ever be told in this dramatic and musical way ever again.”
3) Broadway veteran Ken Prymus, who stars as Uncle Jed, the only black barber in 1928 Monroe County, Arkansas. His Broadway credits include Cats, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and The Wiz. Prymus says, “Uncle Jed is a lot like me. He’s a good guy who’s just trying to work hard. He loves his family and his friends. He’s stable. And he really loves his great-niece.”
4) Broadway veteran Nora Cole stars as Uncle Jed’s wife, Twyla. Her credits include Your Arms Too Short To Box With God, Jelly’s Last Jam, On The Town, and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. Recent credits include Katherine’s Colored Lieutenant and On Golden Pond. Nora is delighted to return to the cast of Uncle Jed’s Barbershop.
5) Veteran actor Mary Louise Lee, singer/actor extraordinaire and First Lady of Denver, stars as adult Sarah Jean. Mary Louise has performed in theaters around the country and has toured internationally with The Mary Louise Lee Band.
6) Introducing Yasmine Emani Hunter as child Sarah Jean. Yasmine is very passionate about singing, having participated in the Rocky Mountain Children’s Choir for 4 years.
7) Broadway veteran Terry Burrell (Dreamgirls, Honky Tonk Nights, Three Penny Opera, Swinging On A Star, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Eubie, Show Boat). Her one woman show “Ethel” can be seen at The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta next Spring.
8) Virtuoso pianist and composer/arranger Joel A. Martin, who arranged the music for the show.
9) Uncle Jed’s Barbershop is a rollicking new musical. It is a celebration of hope, love, work, faith, and the power of dreams that never grow old!
For More Information:
I’ll see you at the show!
Uncle Jed’s Barbershop Speaks To A New Generation
Recently I visited Schertz Elementary School near San Antonio to talk about Uncle Jed’s Barbershop. My main goal when visiting with students is to inspire them to dream big dreams for their lives. Students were excited to share their dreams. My heart is filled with joy because Uncle Jed’s story is just as relevant today as it was when it was first published.
Uncle Jed’s Barbershop tells the story of Uncle Jed who goes house to house cutting hair in the 1920’s and 1930’s. His dream is to open his own barbershop. However he meets with setback after setback. But he doesn’t give up on his dream. He finally opens his barbershop when he is 79 years old.
When I ask students to share their dreams of what they want to be when they grow up, I find that students fall into three categories: those who are eager to share, those who are shy and don’t want to voice their dreams, and those who have no dreams at all.
I try to draw out the shy, reticent ones to let them know that their dreams matter. And even if their friends laugh at them, it doesn’t matter. You see, my friends laughed at me too when I said I wanted to get my books published. But I didn’t listen to them and set about pursuing my dream.
When I encounter students who have no dreams I try to get them to think about what they like to do. As they think about the things they like soon the light comes on and there is a secret dream that they have but they don’t think they can accomplish it.
So I tell them my story, complete with the heartaches that made me want to quit and the successes that came because I didn’t give up on my dream.
Then we discuss Uncle Jed’s Barbershop and the setbacks Uncle Jed encountered on the way to achieving his dream.
By the end of the visit students realize that they can dream of accomplishing a goal. And they can achieve it, regardless of the challenges they encounter.
I know because of the many letters I receive from students. I also hear stories from people who met me at their schools years ago and are pursuing their dreams because of my encouragement.
I am overjoyed that a new generation of students is now hearing the Uncle Jed’s Barbershop story in a variety of ways: literature textbooks, required reading lists, social studies textbooks, financial planning lessons, entrepreneurship lessons, studying about relationships with older people, philanthropy education, lessons on the Great Depression, etc.
Because of the many lessons that have been developed from Uncle Jed’s Barbershop I am getting invitations to schools to tell students the story behind the story. If you would ask a student what they remember most about my visit, they will tell you that I encourage them to dream and to believe those dreams can come true, whether they are saving to buy a video game, or planning to go to college, or dreaming of becoming a scientist.
Students in other countries are also reading Uncle Jed’s Barbershop. The book has been translated into many languages. Students in China, South Korea, Israel, Japan, and other countries are hearing about Uncle Jed and his dream. I recently received an email from a father in Israel who told me how much the book impacted him and his daughter and the discussion that ensued because of it. Regardless of where they live, students are learning to dream big dreams for their lives. And in the process, they are learning something about the history of the American South.
The team of David Wohl, Kenneth Grimes, and Susan Einhorn has adapted Uncle Jed’s Barbershop into an award-winning musical featuring Broadway veterans. Students and their families can now see the story come to life on the stage when it comes to their cities.