Enjoy a special opening night celebration for Nashville Children’s Theatre (NCT)’s newest production, “Elijah Rock! A Jubilee Battle,” on Saturday, Feb. 1. This exciting evening, called Jubilee Day, will feature a live performance by the world-renowned and Grammy-winning Fisk Jubilee Singers at 5:30 p.m., followed by the premiere of “Elijah Rock!” at 7:30 p.m.
This performance tells the story of middle school history champion Elijah as he grapples with a lively reimagining of historical events and encounters the powerful legacy of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. It’s a heartfelt tale that celebrates music, rap and iconic figures who shaped Nashville’s history.
Tickets for the exclusive Fisk Jubilee Singers performance will be $15, with proceeds going directly to the Fisk Jubilee Singers Scholarship Fund. Tickets for the “Elijah Rock!” premiere will be $25 for youth and $35 for adults.
“Elijah Rock! A Jubilee Battle,” will be playing at Nashville Children’s Theatre Feb. 1–16. The story, crafted by talented playwright Gloria Bond Clunie, “Elijah Rock!” will be making a captivating world premiere on the NCT stage. A founding member of the Playwriting Ensemble at Chicago’s Regional Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Theater, Clunie is an award-winning playwright, director and educator.
The production follows middle school history wiz Elijah Rock, played by Jakholbi Murry, as he is determined to participate in a competition to showcase his bold reimagining of historical events. But his journey takes an unexpected turn when he faces opposition from all sides—including a mysterious group of spirits who reveal themselves as the legendary Fisk Jubilee Singers. Will Elijah emerge victorious in this year’s competition, or will his biggest challenge yet prove too much to handle?
“This production of ‘Elijah Rock!’ is deeply meaningful, not just for its compelling story but for its celebration of Nashville’s rich cultural heritage,” said NCT Interim Artistic Director Colin Peterson. “Incorporating the Fisk Jubilee Singers—iconic figures from Fisk University who shaped the musical legacy of our city—makes this play a powerful tribute to representation and history. It’s a story of resilience, creativity and community that will resonate with audiences of all ages while shining a light on the importance of telling diverse stories on stage.”
Tickets are available now at NashvilleChildrensTheatre.org.
