Raven Theatre‘s Midwest premiere of Direct From Death Row The Scottsboro Boys (An Evening of Vaudeville and Sorrow) employs the talents of current and former Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department students. The production employs vaudeville-style music and dance to satirically recount the true story of a group of African-American teenagers falsely accused of raping two white women in 1930s Alabama.

Tamarus Harvell

The cast, whose members portray multiple roles, include former Columbia College acting major Tamarus Harvell, who will play one of the accused teenagers as well as the prosecutor and the judge. And Jacqueline Wills, a senior Theatre major minoring in stage direction, is the production’s assistant director. In addition, Raven Theatre’s associate artistic director is Cody Estle (BA ’11), a graduate of Columbia’s Theatre Directing program.

Direct From Death Row The Scottsboro Boys (An Evening of Vaudeville and Sorrow) begins previews September 16 and opens September 22 for a run through November 14 at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark, Chicago. For tickets, click here or call 773-338-2177.