Red for Revolution 5 - Send in the Clowns

As tensions between Jazmine and her mother boil over, Grandma Ella steps in, guiding the three women to confront the painful reality of intergenerational homophobia. Meanwhile, back in the 1970s, the stakes soar for Ella and Lorraine’s relationship as young Ella is falsely accused of a crime. 

Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smith with Musical Direction by Tammy L. Hall and Sound Design by Collin Gerald Thomas. Original Music by Tammy L.  Hall and Jana Naomi Smith and performed by Renée Wilson, Loretta Devine, and Jordan Hull featuring the Red for Revolution band, Tammy L. Hall on piano, Kofy Brown on electric Bass, Ruth Davies on acoustic Bass, Ruthie Price on drums, Kristen Strom on saxophone and flute, and Vicki Randle on percussion. Cover art by Shefon N. Taylor. The series is executive produced by Renée Wilson, Jana Naomi Smith, and Meta Mana Media with associate producers Jordan Hull, Adrian Snegg, and Vanessa E. Williams. All episodes produced by Liz McBee.

The Red for Revolution team would like to thank each person who helped bring this project to life. Please visit redforrevolution.com for the complete credit and gratitude list. For additional resources and to sign up for our newsletter visit redforrevolution.com.

This audio drama was recorded under the SAG-AFTRA 2020 New Media Principal Performer Contract. 

Episode 5 Cast:
Jordan Hull a s Jazmine James
S. Epatha Merkerson as Ella Ali (Present Day)
Loretta Devine as Lorraine Giovanni (Present Day)
Renée Wilson as Lorraine Giovanni (1970s)
Rutina Wesley as Ella Ali (1970s)
Don Daniels as Sean 
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Delores Ali
Danny Glover as Howard Ali
Jennifer Beals as Suzanne Sands  
Vanessa E. Williams as Barbra Graves
JoNell Kennedy as News Reporter
Mark Thompson as William Davis
Caro Guzmán as Kathy
Miles Agee as Vincent and Preacher
Xavier Miles Temple as Nightclub Runner

Music Featured:
“His Eye is on the Sparrow”
Written by Civilla Durfee Martin and Charles Hutchinson Gabriel
Performed by Renée Wilson

“Send In The Clowns”
Written by Stephen Sondheim
Performed by Renée Wilson and Jordan Hull and the Red for Revolution Band
Courtesy of WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC INC.

For Radiotopia Presents, Yooree Losordo is the Managing Producer. Audrey Mardavich is the Executive Producer. Red for Revolution is part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed that debuts limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. 

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices