Young John Lewis Reviews

Washington Post- Somewhat Recommended

"...For the past seven years, Psalmayene 24’s effort to craft a musical about John Lewis — the “conscience of Congress” himself — has required no shortage of soul-searching. The D.C.-based theater-maker set out to write a play focusing on the late Georgia congressman’s early life as a civil rights activist. When workshopping the material, however, Psalmayene 24 could feel Lewis’s life begging for a melodic treatment and pivoted to a musical."

MetroWeekly- Recommended

"...Young John strongly rejects the idea of getting into politics, leaving the knowing audience with the pleasant feeling that this kid’s got a big future ahead of him. There’s more work to do seeking civil rights, and more Good Trouble for him to make further down the line."

Washington City Paper- Not Recommended

"...At its best, Young John Lewis can be intentionally anachronistic and funny. But some surreal alchemy has occurred in this production, where the performances feel too serious and too extravagant at the same time. Camp isn’t necessarily a bad choice when staging history: Broadway hit Oh, Mary! skewers an ahistorical Mary Todd Lincoln, while still speaking up for marginalized communities. Young John Lewis hints at a similar kind of satire, but this show mostly just feels self-congratulatory."

BroadwayWorld- Recommended

"...Rep. Lewis’s legacy is titanic in the annals of U.S. history, particularly his leadership during the Civil Rights Movement’s more seminal events throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Psalmayene’s original musical doesn’t try to present a comprehensive history of Rep. Lewis, mercifully, but smartly focuses on the events that created his foundation as an activist and leader of people."

DC Theater Arts- Recommended

"...The musical traces Lewis’s journey from youth to organizer and activist, but it rarely presents him as a solitary hero. Instead, the production highlights the network of leaders who shaped the movement — a compound effect. Solomon Parker represents MLK, Latrice Pace portrays Ella Baker, Montel Butler plays Jim Lawson, and Vaughn Ryan Midder embodies Medgar Evers. Each emerges as a voice pushing Lewis — and the movement itself — forward. The ensemble cast embodies this collective spirit with vitality."