Hudson Hall at the historic Hudson Opera House announces No Cowards in Our Band, a powerful musical drama that tells the story of an aging and contemplative Frederick Douglass (1818-1895). Set against the backdrop of post-Reconstruction America, No Cowards in Our Band portrays Frederick Douglass as he considers the social, economic, and political ramifications of slavery and the Civil War and their impact on the future of the United States. Based on a libretto by Anthony Knight, Jr.and interwoven with Negro spirituals, No Cowards in our Band intimately connects Douglass’s words with the music, drawing audiences into his lived, visceral, and strikingly relatable experience. Premiering November 2nd in Hudson Hall’s historic 19th-century theater, this semi-staged production is directed by Hudson-based Michael Hofmann with musical arrangement by “one of the most dynamic postbop pianists of his generation” (WBGO.org), GRAMMY-nominated jazz artist Orrin Evans, who accompanies on piano.

In No Cowards in Our Band, Frederick Douglass’ story – brought to life by actor, artist, and TV personality Masud Olufani – provides a conduit through which other significant stories of the time can be told: how African Americans freed themselves from enslavement, the importance of family to enslaved African Americans, the role of African Americans in the Abolitionist Movement, the turning points that were the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, the Dred Scott case of 1857, the election of President Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and post-Civil War society and Frederick Douglass’ influence on it.

Masud is here to tell us all about channeling Fredrick Douglas, the show, and why it is as important as ever!

For Tickets: https://hudsonhall.org/event/no-cowards-in-our-band/

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