July 5th Audio Drama
Available for Listening
By Ken Green in collaboration with music designer Eve Wolf
Directed by Donald T. Sanders
Produced by SueMedia
Featuring Albert Jones as Frederick Douglass, Cary Hite as The Slave, Sarah Mollo-Christianson as Julia Griffith, Nick Sullivan as Lloyd Garrison and the Radio Announcer, and Tsebiyah Mishael Derry as Anna Douglass.
Come listen to the first of ERC's new audio dramas available to the public. In ERC's new work “July 5th,” Frederick Douglass’ fraught preparation for his famous, fiery speech “What to the American Slave is the Fourth of July?” unfolds amid incendiary debates, political conflicts, and a scandalous love triangle. The drama interweaves with a propulsive musical program, including works by Julius Eastman, George Walker, selections from Joel Thompson’s Seven Songs of the Unarmed, and updated spirituals performed by Alberta Hunter, Paul Robeson, Trin-i-tee, and Etta James. Please consider supporting ERC by donating $15 for listening to “July 5th.”
More Info
Production Manager and casting, Sue Zizza
Casting of Albert Brooks by Stephanie Klapper, Stephanie Klapper Casting.
Audio Production Edited, Mixed and Mastered by SueMedia Productions
Voice Recordings at Radio Wave Studio, New York, New York
Sound Design by David Shinn
SFX interns: Lavender Liu, Esther Liu, and Eurus Meng
Music List
“Seven Last Words of the Unarmed”: by Joel Thompson, performed by the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club under the direction of Eugene Rogers
“Judgement Day is A- Rollin’ Around” from Extreme Music; performed by Nine One One, from the album The Moonshine Music Company: Chain Gang
“Mary Don’t you Weep”, performed by Trin-i-tee 5:7. (The best of Trin-i-tee 5:7)
“My Love is like a Red Red Rose”, performed by Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker.
"Evil N" by Julius Eastman performed by Julius Eastman
"I'd rather go blind" sung by Etta James.
“Hold On“ – New words by Alice Wine. Lead singer: Cordell Reagon. (From the album “I’m gonna let it shine, a gathering of Voices for Freedom 1990” Round River Records.)
“Ezekial Saw De Wheel” – sung by Alberta Hunter
“Lyric For Strings “ by George Walker --- The Cleveland Chamber Symphony, conducted by Edwin London.
“Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel” – sung by Paul Robeson (Smithsonian Folkways)
An interview with the playwright:
Watch and Listen to playwright Ken Green discuss the Fifth of July, audio drama about Frederick Douglass.
