The Scottsboro Boys!

It's here! Today I am finally going to regale you with tales of "The Scottsboro Boys," which I was fortunate enough to see a couple weeks previously, during its preview run. Based on actual historical events, and incorporating one of the most racist theatrical "techniques" in the history of the stage, this Kander and Ebb musical makes for an inspiring, if not entirely feel-good, night out.

Set in 1931 in the South, "The Scottsboro Boys" tells the story of 9 black boys between the ages of 13 and 19 unjustly accused of raping two white women while traveling on a train en route to find work during the dark days of the Great Depression. With this mesmerizing book, and the ever-successful musical pairings of Kander and Ebb's music and lyrics, this show would stand strong in its own right. The cast tasked with bringing this engrossing story to life, however, is what really make this show inspiring.

Combining strong dancing, incredible acting, and soaring vocals, the 11 members of this cast work together as a tremendous unit to take the audience on a roller coaster of emotions from the very start. While the characters are not fully developed, this only serves to emphasize the inhumanization of the boys accused of the original crime. Keeping an audience from getting to know characters in which we are still able to get invested is a true testament to the talents of this tremendous cast.

"The Scottsboro Boys" plays at The Lyceum Theater, located at 149 West 45th Street (Between Broadway and 6th Ave.), New York, NY 10036. You can get tickets at the box office, online, or by calling (212) 239-6200.