Based on a true story.
ACT ONE begins in early June of 1800, just outside Richmond Virginia. Thomas Prosser, Sr. is on his deathbed, attended by his 24-year old son, Thomas, as a thunderstorm rages outside ("The Storm"). When the elder Prosser dies, Gabriel, Prosser's 24-year old enslaved blacksmith confronts Thomas with a promise Thomas had made to free Gabriel, which would allow Gabriel and his brother Martin to seek their father, who had been suddenly sold last year to an unknown slaveowner. When Thomas reneges, Gabriel devises a new plan: to purchase his freedom by hiring out for extra blacksmithing work (“Closer”). Weeks later, Thomas, having inherited the plantation, tells Gabriel how he relishes the control he’ll now have over the plantation, its properties, and, in particular, Delia, one of the enslaved girls (“Daddy’s Gone”). Thomas rejects Gabriel's suggestion that he set things right by freeing the Prosser plantation slaves.
Nanny, who has been hired out by her slaveowner to the Prosser's for the year, brings a rake she has intentionally broken to Gabriel for repairs. She tries to get Gabriel to describe his escape attempt (“What Was It Like?”), but Gabriel refuses and insists that she never take such a risk. She knows his plan is to now purchase his freedom. Frustrated with him, Nanny accuses him of selfishly abandoning his people.
On her way back to the fields, Nanny encounters Delia, who confides to Nanny that she has becomes pregnant by Thomas. Just then, Absalom Johnson, the overseer for Nanny's slaveowner, encounters Nanny and Delia, accuses them of loafing, and plans to take them to Prosser's overseer for a whipping. When Nanny resists and strikes Johnson, he prepares to beat her himself. Johnson is interrupted as Gabriel comes to Nanny's aid. Gabriel wrestles Johnson to the ground and bites off part of Johnson’s ear. Thomas arrives and refuses Johnson’s insistence that Gabriel be lynched right then and there. Thomas knows that if Gabriel is instead executed by the courts, Thomas will be reimbursed by the state for Gabriel’s full value. After the others leave, Gabriel tries to strike a deal with Thomas, offering to purchase his freedom instead of facing trial, but Thomas knows his fiancé's father sits as judge on the negro courts and will think Thomas weak if he allows Gabriel to leave. Thomas arranges for Gabriel to be taken to jail and then approaches Delia, who tells him she is pregnant with their child. Thomas leaves her, rejecting the notion.
Awaiting trial, Gabriel shares a jail cell with the powerful Jack Ditcher, an enslaved man who fans to flame Gabriel’s sense of rage at the injustices undergone by the enslaved (“Stoke the Fire”). In court, Gabriel takes advantage of an arcane legal rule that allows for a suspended sentence if the guilty can read. The judge requires Thomas to post bond, guaranteeing Gabriel’s good behavior. The judge then admonishes the young Prosser to better control his slaves.
On the way home, Thomas, in a rage, declares to Gabriel that Gabriel's entire savings will be used to pay the cost of the bond (“Because of You”). Thomas then swears to never free Gabriel, not at any price. Nanny enters as Thomas is leaving. Thomas declares that Nanny and Gabriel are to stay away from each other, because THomas doesn't want Nanny bearing more slaves to her slaveowner. After Thomas leaves, Gabriel blames Nanny for his punishment, but Nanny fires back, pressing him to explain why he intervened on her behalf. He admits that he perhaps cares for her, and always has. She admits the same possibility. As she turns to leave, Gabriel tries to convince her not to rush off, and to stay for a quiet moment together (“Here for Now”).
Delia goes to Thomas' house to plead for their unborn child's freedom. She is confronted by Thomas' fiancé, the well-to-do socialite Lucy Hylton ("The Man is Mine"). Lucy berates Delia and begins to beat her, but she is interrupted by Thomas, who announces he has already decided to sell Delia. Delia is distraught and clings to Thomas' leg. He kicks her away and exits with Lucy, injuring Delia, who begins to miscarry.
At the enslaved's burial service for Delia's miscarried infant, Delia and the others ask why God hasn’t yet delivered them (“Why Lord?”). Gabriel, calls on the enslaved to mount a coordinated attack that will rally the enslaved from all over Virginia as a single army. Act One ends as thousands of the enslaved around Virginia are recruited to the cause (“Death or Liberty”).
ACT TWO opens as final preparations are made for the uprising ("Death or Liberty - Reprise"). But an unprecedented, torrential downpour begins to flood the roads and bridges, making it impossible for the enslaved to gather or to create the diversion they'd planned. Gabriel decides that the uprising will need to be delayed by just one day, assuring the others that their time will come (“Our Time”). With this plan, the others leave Gabriel and Nanny, who fall to sleep on the workshop floor. They are suddenly awoken the next morning by Thomas, who has received word from Governor James Monroe that Gabriel is the leader of an intended uprising. Gabriel overpowers Thomas and escapes, going into hiding with Jack Ditcher.
Nanny arrives at Gabriel and Ditcher's hiding place in the woods with food and tells them that Gabriel’s older brother Martin has been imprisoned along with several others, all of whom are to be hanged. Gabriel wants to rescue Martin. Ditcher gives up hope and tells them that he'll try to escape to Norfolk. Hearing this, Nanny recalls that the enslaved in Norfolk had been prepared to take part in the uprising. They all decide that Gabriel needs to somehow make his way to Norfolk and rally the enslaved there ("Our Time - Reprise"). Gabriel promises to return to Richmond with an army.
Meanwhile, Governor Monroe summons Thomas, who brings Lucy for support. Since most of the captured slaves were from Thomas' plantation, and Gabriel was the leader, Monroe tells them it is rumored that Thomas was complicit in the uprising. Monroe manipulates Thomas into bankrolling a reward for Gabriel, as well as foregoing any compensation by the courts for the hanging of Thomas' convicted slaves. This pubic embarrassment and Thomas’ capitulation to Monroe infuriate Lucy. After Thoms and Lucy leave Monroe, Lucy informs Thomas that others see Thomas as weak, practically treating slaves as if they were equals (“Not the Same”). This convinces Thomas to change his ways and prove to everyone his mastery over his slaves.
Gabriel narrowly evades capture in the woods as he attempts to find a way to Norfolk on heavily patrolled roads. He comes across Captain Richardson Taylor, a white, former overseer. Taylor has recently developed a conscience but wants to steer clear of trouble. Gabriel, however, convinces Taylor to do the right thing and help Gabriel escape to Norfolk (“What’s Right”). After arriving in Norfolk, however, one of the enslaved ship’s hands, Billy, hoping for the reward money with which he might purchase his freedom, betrays Gabriel to the authorities. Alone in his Norfolk jail cell awaiting transfer to Richmond, Gabriel determines to use his voice to speak up (“My Voice") and convince Governor Monroe to use his influence to do away with slavery in Virginia.
Meanwhile in a Richmond prison cell, Gabriel's brother Martin and Ben await their trials. Ben, who had been enthusiastic about the rebellion, now succumbs to fear of hanging and offers to the authorities, in exchange for his life, testimony against all those being tried. Martin, resigned to his fate, sings a hymn, giving him courage to face what lies ahead (“Bring Me on Home”).
Gabriel is returned to Richmond in chains, where he is interrogated by Monroe, who has asked Thomas to join him (“Like This”). Monroe seeks details of the planned uprising in order to prevent such revolts in the future. Gabriel, however, challenges Monroe with the cruelty of slavery in a nation founded on liberty and equality. Gabriel says the uprising would have completed the American Revolution, a war that had freed only half of all Americans. To avoid martyring Gabriel, Monroe offers him deportation to the deep south, but Gabriel chooses instead to die with his captured companions. Gabriel then confronts Thomas, who had been his boyhood friend. In a rage, Thomas attacks Gabriel to silence him.
After his trial and conviction of conspiracy, Gabriel is brought back to a prison cell shared with Ditcher and Nanny. He says he does not regret losing all in the quest for freedom. Affirming that freedom never comes free, he and Nanny hold to the hope that their actions will inspire future generations to pursue freedom, for all people and at any cost (“Fan the Flame”). At the curtain call, the cast sings with one voice that the time for equality has certainly come (“Our Time - Reprise”).
ACT ONE begins in early June of 1800, just outside Richmond Virginia. Thomas Prosser, Sr. is on his deathbed, attended by his 24-year old son, Thomas, as a thunderstorm rages outside ("The Storm"). When the elder Prosser dies, Gabriel, Prosser's 24-year old enslaved blacksmith confronts Thomas with a promise Thomas had made to free Gabriel, which would allow Gabriel and his brother Martin to seek their father, who had been suddenly sold last year to an unknown slaveowner. When Thomas reneges, Gabriel devises a new plan: to purchase his freedom by hiring out for extra blacksmithing work (“Closer”). Weeks later, Thomas, having inherited the plantation, tells Gabriel how he relishes the control he’ll now have over the plantation, its properties, and, in particular, Delia, one of the enslaved girls (“Daddy’s Gone”). Thomas rejects Gabriel's suggestion that he set things right by freeing the Prosser plantation slaves.
Nanny, who has been hired out by her slaveowner to the Prosser's for the year, brings a rake she has intentionally broken to Gabriel for repairs. She tries to get Gabriel to describe his escape attempt (“What Was It Like?”), but Gabriel refuses and insists that she never take such a risk. She knows his plan is to now purchase his freedom. Frustrated with him, Nanny accuses him of selfishly abandoning his people.
On her way back to the fields, Nanny encounters Delia, who confides to Nanny that she has becomes pregnant by Thomas. Just then, Absalom Johnson, the overseer for Nanny's slaveowner, encounters Nanny and Delia, accuses them of loafing, and plans to take them to Prosser's overseer for a whipping. When Nanny resists and strikes Johnson, he prepares to beat her himself. Johnson is interrupted as Gabriel comes to Nanny's aid. Gabriel wrestles Johnson to the ground and bites off part of Johnson’s ear. Thomas arrives and refuses Johnson’s insistence that Gabriel be lynched right then and there. Thomas knows that if Gabriel is instead executed by the courts, Thomas will be reimbursed by the state for Gabriel’s full value. After the others leave, Gabriel tries to strike a deal with Thomas, offering to purchase his freedom instead of facing trial, but Thomas knows his fiancé's father sits as judge on the negro courts and will think Thomas weak if he allows Gabriel to leave. Thomas arranges for Gabriel to be taken to jail and then approaches Delia, who tells him she is pregnant with their child. Thomas leaves her, rejecting the notion.
Awaiting trial, Gabriel shares a jail cell with the powerful Jack Ditcher, an enslaved man who fans to flame Gabriel’s sense of rage at the injustices undergone by the enslaved (“Stoke the Fire”). In court, Gabriel takes advantage of an arcane legal rule that allows for a suspended sentence if the guilty can read. The judge requires Thomas to post bond, guaranteeing Gabriel’s good behavior. The judge then admonishes the young Prosser to better control his slaves.
On the way home, Thomas, in a rage, declares to Gabriel that Gabriel's entire savings will be used to pay the cost of the bond (“Because of You”). Thomas then swears to never free Gabriel, not at any price. Nanny enters as Thomas is leaving. Thomas declares that Nanny and Gabriel are to stay away from each other, because THomas doesn't want Nanny bearing more slaves to her slaveowner. After Thomas leaves, Gabriel blames Nanny for his punishment, but Nanny fires back, pressing him to explain why he intervened on her behalf. He admits that he perhaps cares for her, and always has. She admits the same possibility. As she turns to leave, Gabriel tries to convince her not to rush off, and to stay for a quiet moment together (“Here for Now”).
Delia goes to Thomas' house to plead for their unborn child's freedom. She is confronted by Thomas' fiancé, the well-to-do socialite Lucy Hylton ("The Man is Mine"). Lucy berates Delia and begins to beat her, but she is interrupted by Thomas, who announces he has already decided to sell Delia. Delia is distraught and clings to Thomas' leg. He kicks her away and exits with Lucy, injuring Delia, who begins to miscarry.
At the enslaved's burial service for Delia's miscarried infant, Delia and the others ask why God hasn’t yet delivered them (“Why Lord?”). Gabriel, calls on the enslaved to mount a coordinated attack that will rally the enslaved from all over Virginia as a single army. Act One ends as thousands of the enslaved around Virginia are recruited to the cause (“Death or Liberty”).
ACT TWO opens as final preparations are made for the uprising ("Death or Liberty - Reprise"). But an unprecedented, torrential downpour begins to flood the roads and bridges, making it impossible for the enslaved to gather or to create the diversion they'd planned. Gabriel decides that the uprising will need to be delayed by just one day, assuring the others that their time will come (“Our Time”). With this plan, the others leave Gabriel and Nanny, who fall to sleep on the workshop floor. They are suddenly awoken the next morning by Thomas, who has received word from Governor James Monroe that Gabriel is the leader of an intended uprising. Gabriel overpowers Thomas and escapes, going into hiding with Jack Ditcher.
Nanny arrives at Gabriel and Ditcher's hiding place in the woods with food and tells them that Gabriel’s older brother Martin has been imprisoned along with several others, all of whom are to be hanged. Gabriel wants to rescue Martin. Ditcher gives up hope and tells them that he'll try to escape to Norfolk. Hearing this, Nanny recalls that the enslaved in Norfolk had been prepared to take part in the uprising. They all decide that Gabriel needs to somehow make his way to Norfolk and rally the enslaved there ("Our Time - Reprise"). Gabriel promises to return to Richmond with an army.
Meanwhile, Governor Monroe summons Thomas, who brings Lucy for support. Since most of the captured slaves were from Thomas' plantation, and Gabriel was the leader, Monroe tells them it is rumored that Thomas was complicit in the uprising. Monroe manipulates Thomas into bankrolling a reward for Gabriel, as well as foregoing any compensation by the courts for the hanging of Thomas' convicted slaves. This pubic embarrassment and Thomas’ capitulation to Monroe infuriate Lucy. After Thoms and Lucy leave Monroe, Lucy informs Thomas that others see Thomas as weak, practically treating slaves as if they were equals (“Not the Same”). This convinces Thomas to change his ways and prove to everyone his mastery over his slaves.
Gabriel narrowly evades capture in the woods as he attempts to find a way to Norfolk on heavily patrolled roads. He comes across Captain Richardson Taylor, a white, former overseer. Taylor has recently developed a conscience but wants to steer clear of trouble. Gabriel, however, convinces Taylor to do the right thing and help Gabriel escape to Norfolk (“What’s Right”). After arriving in Norfolk, however, one of the enslaved ship’s hands, Billy, hoping for the reward money with which he might purchase his freedom, betrays Gabriel to the authorities. Alone in his Norfolk jail cell awaiting transfer to Richmond, Gabriel determines to use his voice to speak up (“My Voice") and convince Governor Monroe to use his influence to do away with slavery in Virginia.
Meanwhile in a Richmond prison cell, Gabriel's brother Martin and Ben await their trials. Ben, who had been enthusiastic about the rebellion, now succumbs to fear of hanging and offers to the authorities, in exchange for his life, testimony against all those being tried. Martin, resigned to his fate, sings a hymn, giving him courage to face what lies ahead (“Bring Me on Home”).
Gabriel is returned to Richmond in chains, where he is interrogated by Monroe, who has asked Thomas to join him (“Like This”). Monroe seeks details of the planned uprising in order to prevent such revolts in the future. Gabriel, however, challenges Monroe with the cruelty of slavery in a nation founded on liberty and equality. Gabriel says the uprising would have completed the American Revolution, a war that had freed only half of all Americans. To avoid martyring Gabriel, Monroe offers him deportation to the deep south, but Gabriel chooses instead to die with his captured companions. Gabriel then confronts Thomas, who had been his boyhood friend. In a rage, Thomas attacks Gabriel to silence him.
After his trial and conviction of conspiracy, Gabriel is brought back to a prison cell shared with Ditcher and Nanny. He says he does not regret losing all in the quest for freedom. Affirming that freedom never comes free, he and Nanny hold to the hope that their actions will inspire future generations to pursue freedom, for all people and at any cost (“Fan the Flame”). At the curtain call, the cast sings with one voice that the time for equality has certainly come (“Our Time - Reprise”).