About Now Let Me Fly
Based on hundreds of oral histories and personal interviews, Now Let Me Fly brings to life the real stories and real people behind the Brown v. Board case. Considered the most important U.S. Supreme Court decision ever, Brown v. Board pronounced "Separate But Equal" education illegal and started unraveling the chains of all legal segregation.
Synopsis
It is 1950 and Thurgood Marshall is exuberant in his enthusiasm to fly in the face of tradition and overthrow the United States Supreme Court doctrine of "Separate But Equal." But when the ghost of his mentor, Charles Houston, visits him, he is stricken with doubt. Houston takes Marshall on a journey, looking in on the lives and losses of the men and women working in the grassroots struggle against segregation. Together they visit Washington D.C., Farmville, Virginia, Hockessin, Delaware, Somerton, South Carolina, and Topeka, Kansas. They collect the thumbprints of the ordinary people who became activists in all five of the cases that went to the Supreme Court. Together, the thumbprints form a picture of determination, dignity and success. Now Let Me Fly is the story of the unsung heroes and heroines behind the struggle to end legalized segregation in America.
To get a feel for the play, see excerpts from Now Let Me Fly:
Character descriptions and suggested casting plans are available.
If you are interested in a full production of Now Let Me Fly please use the contact form to let the playwright know about your interest.