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| Forgotten:
The Murder
at the
Ford Rouge Plant
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For more information, visit
http://www.forgottenshow.net
Forgotten: The Murder at the Ford Rouge Plant CD $20
The new Detroit Cast Recording includes all 25 songs of the jazz-blues labor opera
written by Steve Jones about his relative - a minister who was killed while
organizing in the auto industry in the 1930s.
SRO FOR LABOR OPERA PREMIERE: It was standing room only at the world premiere
of the innovative jazz opera "Forgotten-The Murder at the Ford Rouge Plant"
Friday and Saturday nights [May 2 -3, 2003] at the George Meany Center. The story of the
murder of union organizer (and former minister) Lewis Bradford unfolded in 29
songs composed by D.C. Labor Chorus stalwart Steve Jones, who wrote the
opera, which focuses on the titanic 1930's struggle between the United Auto
Workers and the Ford Motor Company at the firm's famous River Rouge plant in
Detroit.
Thirty-five local performers, directed by labor culture maven
Elise Bryant, poured out their hearts in music about life, love and work
during the Depression. The growing tide of unionism raised the hopes of
working families struggling against unemployment, hunger,
miserable working conditions and unfettered corporate greed, epitomized by
Henry Ford, fervent capitalist and fan of Adolph Hitler, then rising to power
in Germany.
In one of the opera's most effective moments, radio stations
duel as workers sing out for hope and tolerance on "The Forgotten Man's Hour"
while Ford supporter (and fellow Hitler fan) Father Charles Coughlin sows
fear and dissension through racist and anti-worker songs.
The production was made possible with the assistance of the AFL-CIO, the George Meany Center
for Labor Studies, the Service Employees International Union, the
Communication Workers of America, and the Maryland State Arts
Council. Plans are being developed to take the production to Detroit, as
well as additional stage performances in the Washington area.
- reported by Roger Newell
click on pictures for enlargement -
