Black in Period Films

I've been listening to this rendition of "Til We Reach That Day' lately. I am in love with the way this casts' voices blend together and how they bring such emotion to the song.  The Soloists : Piper Jones ('12) as Sarah's Friend Deonte Warren ('10) as Coalhouse Walker, Jr. Jessica Blair ('09) as Emma Goldman James Lombardino ('09) as Tateh Kara Farmer ('09) as Mother Belmont University Musical Theatre Department - RAGTIME - Fall 2008 Till We Reach That Day  Music by Stephen Flaherty  Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens Book by Terrence McNally COALHOUSE (spoken) : No! SARAH'S FRIEND : There's a day of hope May I live to see When our hearts are happy And our souls are free Let the new day dawn Oh, Lord, I pray We'll never get to heaven Till we reach that day MOURNERS : It's a day of peace A day of pride A day of justice We have been denied When a man can live And a chi...

I was fortunate enough to stumble across this video clip of a performance by Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell singing Wheels of a Dream.  Ragtime The Musical takes place in early 20th century America.  On its own the music, costumes, and acting is brilliant. Watching this musical number I shed tears.  I have not seen the play but if I should ever get the chance I will do a complete review.  Lyrics: [COALHOUSE] I see his face. I hear his heartbeat. I look in those eyes. How wise they seem. Well, when he is old enough I will show him America And he will ride on the wheels of a dream. [COALHOUSE] We'll go down South  [SARAH] Go down South, [COALHOUSE] And see your people  [SARAH] See my folks. [COALHOUSE] Won't they take to him [SARAH] They'll take to him [COALHOUSE] Like cats to cream!  [SARAH] Mmm... [COALHOUSE] Then we'll travel on from there. [SARAH] California or who knows where! [BOTH] And we will ride On the wheels of a dre...