Here are samples of a few of the songs from the show. Featured in these recordings: Jerold Solomon, Grant Paylor, Desiree Roots, and Janet Hazlegrove.
We are in 1800 Richmond Virginia, in the Prosser blacksmith shed. Gabriel, a 24-year old enslaved blacksmith, stands next to a glowing furnace, beating a scythe blade into shape. He is determined to work enough side jobs so that one day, not too far from now, he will have enough money to purchase his freedom from Prosser. He describes his plan and his hopes in "Closer."
"Daddy's Gone" -- 24-year old Thomas Henry Prosser, Jr. revels in his newfound freedom.
"What Was It Like?" -- 19-year old Nanny, who feels she can only dream of ever being free, asks Gabriel about his attempt to run from slavery.
In "Stoke the Fire," Jack Ditcher, a powerful enslaved man awaiting trial for disorderly conduct, encourages Gabriel, his cellmate in the county jail, to face his anger at the injustices they experience.
In "The Man is Mine," the well-to-do Lucy Hylton, engaged to be married to the plantation owner Thomas Prosser, demeans Delia, Nanny's younger sister, the enslaved girl Prosser has been raping. This song was in the original, full-cast version of the show, but had to be removed for the 8-actor version, which leaves out the roles of both Delia and Lucy.
Toward the end of the first Act, the enslaved pray, asking God why He hasn't provided the deliverance He promised.
ACT ONE
“Closer”....................................................................................... Gabriel, Company
“Daddy’s Gone”............................................................................................. Prosser
“What Was It Like?”.......................................................................... Nanny, Gabriel
“Stoke the Fire” .......................................................... Ditcher, Gabriel, Company
“Because of You”............................................................................. Gabriel, Nanny
“Here for Now”................................................................................. Gabriel, Nanny
“Why, Lord?”.................................................. Nanny, Delia, Martin, the Enslaved
“Death or Liberty”............................................................................. The Enslaved
ACT TWO
“Feel the Rage”.................................................................................. The Enslaved
“Seen Too Much”........................................................................... Gabriel, Nanny
“What’s Right”................................................................................. Gabriel, Taylor
“Bring Me On Home” .................................................................. Martin, Inmates
“Like This”.................................................... Gabriel, Prosser, Monroe, Jefferson
“Feed the Flame”.................................................................................... Company