Young, Gifted And Black at Bryant Park Picnic Performances

Friday, September 1 at 7PM

The Classical Theatre of Harlem: Young, Gifted And Black

Featuring Crystal Lucas-Perry, Edward W. Hardy, Emery Mason, Melissa Mosley, Kaden Kennedy, and Roen Jones. Works by Whitney Houston, Edward W. Hardy, Chopin, Alicia Keys, Chris Stapleton, Queen, John Field, Debussy, Burgmüller, Kapustin, Saint-Saens, Gabriel Fauré, and Bach.

Inspired by playwright Lorraine Hansberry and songwriter Nina Simone, "To be young, gifted and Black" is a positive and uplifting message to celebrate resilience, pride and the endless promise of our youth. It refers to recognizing the unique talents, abilities, and potential they possess, and acknowledging the value and contributions they bring to society despite policies, various challenges and systemic barriers in their lives. This presentation is an expression of young excellence in New York City – a place that appreciates the worth and potential of those who are about to inherit this world.

Attendees to Bryant Park Picnic Performances may bring their own food or purchase from on-site food and beverage vendors near the Lawn. At all performances, attendees can discover new dishes and celebrate classics from the five boroughs with a rotating line-up of local artisanal vendors curated by Hester Street Fair. Stout NYC offers giant pretzels, gourmet popcorn and other light bites as well as a selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.

Additional performance information follows below. For the most current information please visit bryantpark.org/picnics.

Program & Performers

Crystal Lucas-Perry (Tony Award Nominee) Greatest Love of All as popularized by Whitney Houston, and the stirring poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes.

Edward W. Hardy (Composer-Violinist)

Evolution (Inspired by the Evolution of Black Music), Edward W. Hardy Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. posth., Frédéric Chopin If I Ain’t Got You, Alicia Keys Tennessee Whiskey, Chris Stapleton Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen

Emery Mason (Pianist)

Nocturne; John Field Cakewalk; Debussy L'orage: The Storm; Burgmüller

Melissa Mosley (Pianist) Concert Etude, op. 40 no.3 Toccatina; Kapustin Etude Op. 25, no. 10; Chopin

Kaden Kennedy (Cellist)

The Swan; Saint-Saens

Elégie; Gabriel Fauré

Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major

Roen Jones (Violinist) Partita no.3 by Bach