‘I Love to Sing: The Rutha Harris Story’ makes its debut in Albany

ALBANY — It was a moment that brought audience members to tears before it brought them to their feet.

Rutha Harris stepped out on stage during the closing act of “I Love to Sing: The Rutha Harris Story” and moved the crowd and cast alike with the same powerful, soulful voice that helped spread a message to so many.

The play debuted in Albany Saturday in the nearly-full Albany Municipal Auditorium. Some traveled from as far as Washington, D.C., to be in attendance, with Atlanta, Albany and the surrounding area represented as well.

The play’s author, Jeronn Russell, said, “I’m grateful that people thought it was worth coming this way to be a part of it.”

The play was broken into six acts and chronicled Harris’ journey as one of the original Freedom Singers, from the time she becomes aware of social injustices plaguing the nation to the time the Freedom Singers are formed to the time she sings at the March on Washington and several significant moments in between.

While the actors told the story through song, dance and dialogue, a slide show played at key moments and featured pertinent scenes from the Civil Rights Movement, further illustrating what happened during the time that the play is taking place.

Kimberly Aldridge starred as Rutha Harris and captivated the audience with her rich voice, much to the delight of Harris herself.

“That girl that played Rutha, she was awesome. She was my favorite,” Harris said before bursting into hearty laughter.

Harris admitted that the final number was as emotional for her as it had been for many in the audience.

“I was emotional,” she said with a huge smile. “I had that paper in my hand because I knew I was so emotional I might forget my words.”

Regina Favors, Harris’ niece, was teary-eyed at the conclusion of the play. Favors said she was filled with pride seeing her aunt’s accomplishments come to life and she said she hopes it impacts the community and helps create much-needed change.

“I hope it brings about change,” she said. “I would like to see racism stop. We still have racism. I saw white people in the audience, and I’m hoping that they go home and discuss what they saw tonight.”

After the play, a reception was held at the Albany Civil Rights Museum, where Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard presented Harris with a plaque of appreciation and acknowledgment of Harris’ place in the city’s history.

As Russell talked with playgoers, she said she heard nothing but positive things, which may help draw a crowd should the play return to Albany.

“I don’t know, we may come back,” she said. “(The Albany Civic Center) is having a centennial in October, but they haven’t solidified it. We’re just waiting to see what they’re going to do.”

The troupe will for sure perform “I Love to Sing” in D.C., and Russell said with Saturday’s performance going off without a hitch, they’re more than ready for the next showing.

“I’m feeling confident now,” she said. “I’ve seen it up. (The actors) got their stride. I have no doubt they’re gonna do awesome. They’re gonna be comfortable, they’re gonna be home, they’re gonna get to rehearse a little more.”

Whether or not the play returns to Albany, Harris said Saturday’s performance was still a surreal experience.

“Seeing my life in front of me, that was incredible,” she said.