MARY SPEAKS is a one-woman play with music. In this play, the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is used as a parallel to explore the history of black mothers and their sons from slavery to present day. Mother Mary becomes a prototype for the struggle of black mothers to raise and keep their sons alive in a society where their very existence is a threat. Mary’s mission is to keep her son from clashing with the government and becoming a crucified black body. Through monologues, songs, spoken word and dance, we follow mother and son from the auction block, Jim Crow South, through the Great Migration, segregation and civil rights to present day.