Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer

Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer runs from February 16 to March 7, 2027, at the Copaken Stage, part of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre downtown. It's a musical tribute to Fannie Lou Hamer, the civil rights hero whose life and work the show follows from her humble beginnings as the daughter of a Mississippi sharecropper to her role as a co-founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. The production tracks her through to the National Democratic Convention, where she demanded recognition for the party and for Black voters across the South.

It's described as part theatre, part gospel revival, and all inspiration, and that gospel side isn't just a backdrop—the show blends storytelling and music to trace Hamer's fight for voting rights and social justice. The music is woven into the narrative, so the gospel elements carry as much of the story as the dialogue does. The whole thing runs about two hours.

Behind the scenes, the show was written by Cheryl L. West and directed by Morgana Wilborn, who is an Associate Artistic Director at KCRep. The production focuses on Hamer's bravery, humor, and grit, and how she kept pushing forward even when the stakes were high. If you're not already familiar with her, she's one of the most influential figures in the American civil rights movement, and this is a chance to see her story told on a local stage.

Tickets start at $44, and the run goes from February 16 through March 7, so you've got a few weeks to find a night that works for you. The Copaken Stage is right in downtown Kansas City, and the show runs about two hours.