Theatrical Outfit, in partnership with the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, is set to debut the world premiere of YOUNG JOHN LEWIS, a powerful hip hop musical running June 4th through the 29th, 2025, in Downtown Atlanta. With book and lyrics by playwright Psalmayene 24 and original music by Atlanta’s own Eugene H. Russell IV, the production explores the formative decade in John Lewis’s life which shaped him into a fearless Civil Rights leader by the age of 28.
Blending spoken word, dynamic staging, and soul-stirring beats, YOUNG JOHN LEWIS traces the early activism of the Congressman, reframing a pivotal period in American history through a modern, musical lens. “His life is a roadmap,” says Psalmayene 24, “to help navigate challenging times and ignite real change.”
Russell, whose Atlanta roots run deep, brings both personal connection and cultural fluency to the score. “As a child of Civil Rights marchers and a lover of hip hop, this was a dream project,” he shares.
The production features an all-Atlanta cast led by Michael Bahsil as “Young John,” and includes Sully Brown, Cece Campbell, Neal Ghant, Latrice Pace, and others under the direction of Thomas W. Jones II. The creative team also features celebrated local designers and dramaturges who bring the city’s legacy of resistance and resilience to the forefront.
Detria Austin Everson, President of the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, calls the musical “a creative approach that will inspire a new generation of Good Troublemakers.”
With civil rights once again at the forefront of national conversation, YOUNG JOHN LEWIS offers a timely and inspiring theatrical experience rooted just steps from the former headquarters of SNCC. Theatrical Outfit Artistic Director Matt Torney calls the show “a roadmap for young leaders to find their voice.”
Tickets and group sales are available here.
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