New Play for Children Presented by Metropolitan Library System

“Crossing Bok Chitto,” the Oklahoma Book Award winner by Choctaw author and storyteller Tim Tingle, will be brought to life by the Metropolitan Library System and the Rhythmically Speaking children’s theater company in February in celebration of Black History Month.

The play, about the power of friendship, is called “The Under Water Bridge” and will be presented by MLS during 12 presentations in 11 libraries around Oklahoma County beginning on February 7 and running through February 28. 

Rhythmically Speaking was founded over ten years ago to bring an authentically African American voice to Oklahoma children’s theater.  The troupe, associated with the Oklahoma Arts Council, has been working with the Metropolitan Library System for several years.  “The Under Water Bridge” will be directed by playwright DWe Williams.

“We are very excited to be working with Rhythmically Speaking again,” said MLS Children’s Services Coordinator Lisa Wood.  “I love to watch them perform, but what I especially like is the way DWe and the company find the right moments in every script to teach life lessons without ever seeming to be talking down to their audience, or to be preachy.”

The Under Water Bridge tells a story of the power of the friendship between a Choctaw girl and a slave boy, and how their friendship proves to be stronger than the forces of slavery.

     Performance schedule for “The Under Water Bridge”:

        Feb. 7 – 2pm – Bethany Library, 3510 N. Mueller

        Feb. 8 – 2pm – Belle Isle Library, 5501 N. Villa

        Feb. 11 – 6:30pm – The Village Library, 10307 N. Pennsylvania

        Feb. 15 – 2pm – Downtown Library, 300 Park Avenue

        Feb. 16 – 7pm – Edmond Library, 10 S. Boulevard

        Feb. 17 – 6:30pm – Midwest City Library, 8143 E. Reno

        Feb. 18 – 6:30pm – St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, 5700 N. Kelley Avenue

        Feb. 19 – 1:15pm – Capitol Hill Library, 334 SW 26th

        Feb. 21 – 2pm – Warr Acres Library, 5901 NW 63rd

        Feb. 23 – 6:30pm – Choctaw Library, 2525 Muzzy Street

        Feb. 24 – 6:30pm – Southern Oaks Library, 6900S. Walker

        Feb. 28 – 2pm – Del City Library, 4509 SE 15th

Performances are free and suitable for all ages.  Seating is limited, and doors open 15 minutes before each presentation.  Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Metropolitan Library System, the Oklahoma Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County includes 12 libraries and five extension libraries.  Libraries include Belle Isle, Capitol Hill, Ralph Ellison, Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library and Southern Oaks in Oklahoma City, as well as Bethany, Choctaw, Del City, Edmond, Midwest City, Village and Warr Acres.  Extensions are located in the communities of Harrah, Jones, Luther and Nicoma Park and include Wright Library in Oklahoma City.  You can also reach us at www.metrolibrary.org.