Colonial Players of Annapolis’ production of Alabama Story is a powerful blend of humor and passion. Kenneth Jones’ play, based on a true incident and set in Montgomery in 1959, depicts the Alabama library system’s challenge against attempts to remove from libraries a children’s book about black and white bunnies getting married. Directed by Eleanore Tapscott, it speaks to issues all too relevant today. Pamela Wilterdink plays Emily Reed, or Ms. Reed, Alabama’s chief librarian, with a no-nonsense strength. She speaks in complete sentences, laying out the facts and countering pointed questioning with information. She also has a biting humor; glancing over a segregationist newsletter, she critiques its spelling and editing. Even in the middle of the controversy, she turns down press interviews, as “the books should be the story.” She defends the library’s right to carry all sorts of books with a practical fierceness. Todd Smith (Senator E.W. Higgins), Rick Estberg (Garth Williams), and Pamela Wilterdink (Emily Reed) in ‘Alabama Story.’ Publicity photo by Brandon Bentley. Jonathan Blansfield gives a quiet resourcefulness to assistant librarian Thomas Franklin. Quietly prepared, he gives Ms. Reed a dossier with useful information on the Senator (Todd Smith) who attacked them for carrying the book. Later, he emotionally explains why he wants to protect Ms. Reed and defend the library. Todd Smith gives a passionate energy to Senator E.W. Higgins, speaking out against the book and the libraries for carrying it. He asks Ms. Reed loaded questions, after trying to charm and flatter her. He has hidden depths as well: he speaks emotionally of Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer and of losing his father’s first edition in a flood. There is a final, surprising interaction between Higgins and Ms. Reed that leaves him near tears. Brian Binney brings an anger to Bobby Crone, an elder Alabama legislator, as he berates Higgins for the worldwide negative publicity his crusade is bringing them. He speaks practically, as a politician, and sentimentally, as a great-grandfather, of what changes are coming. Denzell Massenburg gives a quiet fury to Joshua Moore, who lived on Lily’s (Ellen Quay) family’s plantation when they were both children. Running into each other as adults, he reminds her that the beautiful “carriage house” she remembers he and his mother lived in was essentially a shack with no running water. Later, he reminds her of the incident that forced him and his mother to leave the estate. Telling her why he returns regularly to Montgomery, he throws his mother’s bible in anger. Denzell Massenburg (Joshua Moore) and Ellen Quay (Lily Whitfield ) in ‘Alabama Story.’ Publicity photo by Brandon Bentley. Ellen Quay brings a privileged innocence to Lily Whitfield. She does not read the papers and is ignorant about why the park where she encounters Joshua is closed (to prevent integration). She unintentionally reveals the color and class divide between her and Joshua. She tearfully claims not to remember the incident Joshua brings up and immediately wants to forget it. Rick Estberg brings great humor to Garth Williams, illustrator of the controversial book. Listing the famous authors whose works he has done, he calls them all “perverts.” He explains his artistic decisions for the book, inspired by Chinese art and the idea that the contrast between black and white felt right. He introduces the story at the play’s beginning and provides an epilogue at the end for the characters to tell what happened to them. As reporter Herschel Webb, he is inquisitive and helpful, interviewing Ms. Reed about her background. Nick J. Meyers brings a fierceness to Henry Branch, a columnist decrying a new illustration of The Three Little Pigs that to him has a radically racial and political agenda. Set Designer Edd Miller and Properties Designer Carrie Shade have made a simple yet effective set. Desks and chairs near the center are for the librarians, while a park bench stage right serves for the outdoors, the floor painted red brick and green grass. Beyond the stage, a white hall and chairs show the Alabama legislature. Projection Designer Dudley Whitney expands the stage by throwing up images of buildings and parks. Costume Designer Beth Terranova and Hair & Make-Up Designer Christina McAlpine evoke the era of late 1950s Alabama, with dresses and skirts for the women and suits and ties for the men. Lighting Designer Rick Wink keeps some of the lights dark for scenes with the librarians, then switches for those with Lily and Joshua. The lights flicker for a flashback scene. Sound Designer Dudley Whitney throws out sounds of rain and interscene music. Director Eleanore Tapscott keeps the action going throughout the play, with different scenes onstage at once and characters acting out what others report. The actors hit the right emotional and comedic moments, letting us laugh while discussing serious issues. This makes for an entertaining evening, with plenty to ponder afterward. As these battles are still being fought today, Alabama Story is both an important play to see and fun to watch. Running Time: Two hours and 15 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission. Alabama Story plays through February 1, 2025, at Colonial Players of Annapolis – 108 East Street, Annapolis, MD. For tickets ($26), call the box office at 410-268-7373 or purchase online. A virtual playbill is available here. Alabama Story By Kenneth Jones Directed by Eleanore Tapscott