Alabama

Mark Woods: At Theatre Jacksonville, timely retelling of a story about 1959 book battle

Published

10 months ago

March 13, 2024

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Mark Woods: At Theatre Jacksonville, timely retelling of a story about 1959 book battle

“This is a story about two rabbits.”

So begins “Alabama Story,” a play being performed this month at Theatre Jacksonville in San Marco.

In the opening scene, the characters tell you that this is a story about much more than two rabbits, one black and one white, in a 1958 children’s book, “The Rabbits’ Wedding.”

It’s a story about how that book ended up in the middle of 1950s culture wars; with some in Alabama saying it was indoctrinating children by pushing a pro-integration agenda; with a state senator calling for the book to be banned and burned, and the state’s head librarian to be removed from her position; and with that librarian standing up for more than this one book.

“This is about books,” she says, “many books.”

The script has the characters tell audiences that what they’re about to hear is a children’s story, a love story, an Alabama story, a story within a story, and — somewhere between the lines — a true story.

What it doesn’t say — what it doesn’t have to say — is that it’s not just a story about the 1950s, Alabama and two rabbits.

‘We have to do this play’

Sarah Boone, executive director of Theatre Jacksonville, grew up with “The Rabbits’ Wedding” in her house.

The illustrator, Garth Williams, was best known for his artwork for “Charlotte’s Web,” “Stuart Little” and “Little House on the Prairie.” For this book, he made one rabbit black and one white for a practical reason. He wanted kids to be able to tell the rabbits apart. So he made the male rabbit black and the female one white.

It wasn’t a statement about integration or interracial marriage — until some in Alabama, led by one prominent politician, made it one.

Not that Boone knew any of this when she was growing up. She hadn’t even thought about the book for decades, until she was in a New York drama bookstore, checking out some of the new plays, thinking about Theatre Jacksonville’s next season. “Alabama Story” was first produced nearly a decade ago, but wasn’t published and widely available until 2022.

“I read it and I just thought it was so timely,” Boone said.

She also thought something about the story sounded familiar. It wasn’t until she pulled up the cover of “The Rabbits’ Wedding” that she realized why. She remembered it from her childhood, simply as a sweet story about two rabbits who wanted to be together forever.

When she brought the “Alabama Story” script back to Florida, members of the Theatre Jacksonville repertory committee and board also read it.

“Everybody said, ‘We have to do this play,’” she said.

Every year, when the Theatre Jacksonville is putting together the next season, they include at least one show about an issue. The goal is to have theater do what maybe other venues, like social media, often fail to do: start a thoughtful conversation.

For Theatre Jacksonville’s 104th season, “Alabama Story” seemed remarkably fitting.

An ode to books and librarians

Boone ended up having a long conversation over coffee with Kenneth Jones, the playwright of “Alabama Story.”

When Jones explains the origin of his play, he points to reading the obituary pages of the New York Times one day in 2000, seeing a story about a librarian.

Emily W. Reed, who in 1959 enraged Alabama segregationists by allowing a book about a fuzzy white rabbit marrying a fuzzy black rabbit onto the shelves of the state’s central library, died on May 19 at a retirement community in Cockeysville, Md. She was 89.

The confrontation came as blacks were fighting to be allowed in public libraries throughout the South and a segregationist in Florida was demanding that ”The Three Little Pigs” be removed from library shelves because the pigs were depicted in different colors. … In Ms. Reed’s case, the book in question was ”The Rabbits’ Wedding.”

Reed grew up in Culver, Indiana, graduated from the University of Michigan and worked at numerous public and academic libraries (including Florida State) before becoming Alabama’s library director. In that role, she was responsible for the selection and purchases of library materials across the state. She not only refused to remove “The Rabbits’ Wedding” from her library — she put it on a reserve shelf — she later was attacked for including Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Stride Toward Freedom: A Montgomery Story” on a list of “notable books.”

When Jones read about this — and how Alabama State Sen. E.O. Eddins led the fight against the books and the librarian — it leaped out at him as a story ripe for the stage, with heroes and villains, tension and conflict, small moments and big ideas.

For “Alabama Story,” he added a fictional story, about two childhood friends — Lily, who is white, and Joshua, who is Black — who meet again as adults at the same time as the true story of “The Rabbits’ Wedding” is playing out in Montgomery.

While this blend of fiction and non-fiction certainly carries messages about race and censorship, it also is an ode to librarians and books.

At one point in “Alabama Story,” Emily Reed says: “A librarian must be a repository of all sides of the question. …. I believe that the free flow of information is the best means to solve the problems of the South, the nation, and the world.”

This isn’t just a line that Jones wrote for a character. In a 2022 interview, he explained that this was something Reed said. And it’s at the heart of what he wanted the play to say.

“The free exchange of books, ideas, information is a primary tenet of librarianship,” Jones told Alabama journalist Alec Harvey. “That exchange happens over and over in the play, between Lily and Josh and between Emily and the senator and others. The exchange of books and intellectual material changes people’s lives.”

The battle over “The Rabbits’ Wedding” made national, even international news. It led some in the Alabama capitol who had fought integration to tell the state senator to let it go, that what he was doing was backfiring, embarrassing the state.

While the days of a “whites only” park bench (part of the play’s set) may be gone, issues involving race and books are not. Florida has made plenty of national and international headlines in recent years, sometimes about books that have been pulled off bookshelves. One modern-day controversy involved a true tale of two animals in a zoo, penguins, both black and white, but also both male.

It’s telling that in 2024, “Alabama Story” is being produced all over the country — because obviously it’s about much more than the 1950s, Alabama and a book with two rabbits.

It’s not only about past, and all that led up to 1959, it’s about the future. And in the end, Theatre Jacksonville’s Sarah Boone says, it ties all the stories together and tells one more.

“Ultimately,” she said, “it’s very much a story of hope.”

mwoods@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4212

“ALABAMA STORY”

What: “Alabama Story,” by Kenneth Jones, a drama based on true events, directed by Amy Love

Where: Theatre Jacksonville in San Marco

When: March 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 (Sunday performances are 2 p.m. matinees, all other performances are at 7:30 p.m.)

The cast: Gloria Ware, Jacob Dinkel, Samantha Lewis, Jonathan Lispcome, Josh Rutgers, Neal Thorburn.

For more information: www.theatrejax.com or (904) 396-4425

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Alabama

Former Alabama players reflect on Ohio State national championship

Published

2 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Press Room

Former Alabama players reflect on Ohio State national championship

Even with a foot in a boot due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, Ohio State’s Seth McLaughlin stood on a chair in celebration. A cigar in his mouth, the former Alabama football center took the moment in, enjoying the national title the Buckeyes had won.

“Feels good,” McLaughlin shouted through the giddy yells and rap music. “Feels great.”

McLaughlin didn’t play in the 34-23 win over Notre Dame due to the injury he suffered late in the Buckeye season. Still, he used the season in Columbus to rebuild his confidence, and the night in Atlanta was a perfect ending.

Fitting for him and his Ohio State teammates, whose season was in question when they fell in in the regular season finale against Michigan.

“There isn’t a single person in here that hasn’t been doubted by everybody in the country,” McLaughlin said. “It’s just a testament to these guys’ resiliency and just, even to hang on in those final moments, find a way to win.”

Near the entrance to the locker room, McLaughlin’s fellow Alabama transfer, quarterback Julian Sayin, had a black commemorative t-shirt stretched over his shoulder pads. The freshman, who signed with Alabama and participated in Rose Bowl practices after the 2023 season, then transferred to OSU after Saban retired, posed for pictures with his teammates.

Sayin didn’t play in the game, sitting behind Ohio State starter Will Howard. Still, he was thrilled by reaching the college football mountaintop, the first Buckeye title since the 2014 season.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Sayin told AL.com. “Proud of the guys. Will Howard had an amazing game. I was able to learn a lot from him this season, and was really excited to see him do so well.”

Toward the back of the room, still in his game uniform, eyeblack running down his face as his teammates interrupted interviews to celebrate, Caleb Downs sat in a folding chair. Of all the ex-Alabama players now at Ohio State, he’d had the most impact on the field Monday.

Downs finished with five total tackles, playing the game in his home state. Both he and fellow Buford, Ga. native McLaughlin said they were undefeated in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, dating back to high school.

“It’s a blessing,” Downs said. “I can’t even describe it. It’s an unreal feeling for me just to come back home. To see my home, my family here, grandparents. And then I saw two of my elementary school teachers here today, like, I can’t describe it.”

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Alabama

Alabama LGBTQ advocates react to Trump’s inaugural comments on gender: ‘Benefits no one’

Published

10 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

Alabama LGBTQ advocates react to Trump’s inaugural comments on gender: ‘Benefits no one’

Gay and transgender rights advocates in Alabama and beyond are gearing up for more attacks on LGBTQ rights after newly sworn-in President Donald Trump vowed that under U.S. policy there are “only two genders.”

“We take the remark to be a denial of all trans folks’ lived experiences, especially within the context of expected executive actions,” the Alabama Transgender Rights Action Coalition, said in an email to AL.com. “Science and medicine affirm the existence of a whole spectrum of gender that includes cisgender and transgender people alike. The administration’s stance on this benefits no one, and contradicts widely accepted medical best practice.”

Trump is expected to sign an executive action restricting the government’s definition of gender and sex.

“As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female,” Trump said Monday during his inaugural address, to loud applause.

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., praised Trump’s comments.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for recognizing that there are 2 genders: male and female,” Tuberville said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Now, we need to pass my bill to get men OUT of women’s sports.”

Tuberville reintroduced the bill that would bar transgender athletes from women’s sports earlier this week with numerous co-sponsors, including Alabama’s junior Republican, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt.

The Alabama coalition for transgender rights condemned Tuberville’s remarks.

“Transgender people (including nonbinary folks) exist in Alabama, and many are born here — and we just want to be free to participate in society like everyone else,” the advocacy group said in an email to AL.com. “In the coming years, some politicians will continue to proclaim falsehoods in an effort to distract from issues that they can’t solve without upsetting the interests that fund them. Alabama’s working-class people aren’t helped by the introduction of anti-trans policy, by a rejection of science, or by the embrace of anti-intellectualism.”

An incoming White House official told reporters that Trump will sign an executive action on Monday dictating that the policy of the U.S. is that there are two biologically distinct sexes: male and female, according to NPR.

The sexes are “not changeable,” according to the official, who spoke on background to reporters. The change in definition would apply to documents like passports, visas, and employee records.

Taxpayer funds would not be allowed to be used for “transition services,” according to the report from NPR.

But transgender rights advocates urged caution.

“Today, the Trump Administration is expected to release a barrage of executive actions taking aim at the LGBTQ+ community instead of uniting our country and prioritizing the pressing issues the American people are facing,” said Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, in an email to AL.com. “But make no mistake: these actions will not take effect immediately.”

Robinson said the actions “serve no purpose” other than hurting LGBTQ+ families and communities.

She said the Trump administration “is trying to divide our communities in the hope that we forget what makes us strong.”

“But we refuse to back down or be intimidated.”

Trump is expected to sign numerous executive actions Monday, primarily related to immigration.

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Alabama

Alabama Adds Versatile Recruit Mazie Paradis For 2025

Published

18 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

Alabama Adds Versatile Recruit Mazie Paradis For 2025

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Wisconsin LSC Short Course Senior Champion Mazie Paradis has committed to continuing her swimming career at the University of Alabama in the fall of 2025. Paradis is currently a senior at New Glarus High School and trains with the Verona Area Swim Team.

I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Alabama! I first want to thank my family, coaches & teammates for helping me through this process. I also want to thank the amazing coaching staff at Alabama who have given me this opportunity. ROLL TIDE 🐘❤️🤍

Paradis earned her best 200 IM time of 2:02.99 last month at the Speedo Winter Junior Championship West (SCY) in Austin, Texas. At the meet, she qualified for the 2025 Futures Championship in Madison in four events: the 100 back (55.23), 200 back (1:59.46), 100 fly (55.95), and the 200 IM.

Earlier in the year, in March, Paradis secured her SCY 100 fly personal best of 55.71 at the NCSA Spring Championships in Orlando, Florida. She also set a personal best in another SCY event, the 50 breast, with a time of 29.45. She made it to the finals in both events, which were held in LCM.

Paradis was the 2023 Wisconsin LSC Senior Short Course Champion (SCY) in the 100 IM (56.76) and 100 back (54.68), with her 100 back time remaining her personal best. She was also a finalist in the 200 back (1:59.49), finishing 2nd, the 200 IM (2:04.69), earning 3rd, the 100 fly (56.90), placing 5th, and the 50 back (25.83), where she took 6th.

Paradis set her personal best in the SCY 200 back at the 2023 NCSA Spring Championships in March, finishing 20th overall in the finals with a time of 1:59.22. She also reached the finals in the 50 back (26.17), 100 back (54.85), and 200 IM (2:03.92).

In November 2023, at the IA IFLY A3 Midwest Challenge (SCY) in Iowa City, Paradis set a new personal best in the 50 free with a time of 23.37, placing 2nd. She also made it to the finals in the 100 back (55.37), finishing 2nd, the 200 back (2:00.82), also placing 2nd, the 100 fly (55.83), where she finished 3rd, the 200 IM (2:03.69), earning 2nd, and the 400 IM (4:27.68), where she claimed 1st.

Top SCY Times

50 Free – 23.37
100 Back – 54.68
200 Back – 1:59.22
100 Fly – 55.71
200 IM – 2:02.99

The Alabama women placed 6th out of 12 teams at the SEC Championships last season, down from 4th the previous year. Paradis’s best 200 IM time (2:02.99) could help strengthen the IM group at Alabama. The Crimson Tide’s fastest time last season, 1:58.24, was held by Olympic swimmer Diana Petkova, who competed in the 100 breast and 200 IM at the Tokyo Games, representing Bulgaria. She is currently a graduate student. Paradis is also strong in the 100 back (54.68). The fastest time last season, 52.11, was held by sophomore Ella Menear.

Paradis will join Madyson Hartway, Lili Ratzlaff, Sarah Parker, Isabella Chavez-Varela, and Lolly Milbaum as part of Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class. Chavez-Varela also shows strength in the 200 IM, with a time of 2:00.89.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

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