In this true story of the Harlem Renaissance in the Soviet Union, we are introduced to the young writer and actress Dorothy West and her mother, Rachel West, who wants to hear all about her daughter’s year in Moscow making a film.    Rachel is especially curious about the famous poet Langston Hughes.   Dorothy promises to tell all that and more, starting with the invitation for the trip that she received from her sweetheart and local reporter, Henry Lee Moon. After failing to convince her cousin, Helene Johnson, to accompany her, Dorothy sets sail with Henry Lee and 20 other Harlemites to the other side of the world, with no idea what this new world has in store for her. 



CAST
J. IVY AS LANGSTON HUGHES 
EVAN FRAZIER AS DOROTHY WEST
NANCY GILLIAM AS RACHEL WEST
KYLA LACY AS HELENE JOHNSON
BRODERICK CLAVERY  AS HENRY LEE
BASIL RODERICKS AS COUNTEE CULLEN
SYDNEY APOLONIO AS THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR 
JON KELLY AS THE NEWS REPORTER
HARLEM AND MOSCOW  WAS WRITTEN BY ALLE MIMS
DIRECTED BY ARES HARPER AND REGINA GRIFFIN.
PRODUCER  AND SOUND DESIGNER SAM RIDDELL
AUDIO ENGINEERS AARON REPPERT AND CAREY DURHAM 
MUSIC BY TRANSITIONS AND THE  URSS SOVIET CHORUS

In this true story of the Harlem Renaissance in the Soviet Union, we are introduced to the young writer and actress Dorothy West and her mother, Rachel West, who wants to hear all about her daughter’s year in Moscow making a film.    Rachel is especially curious about the famous poet Langston Hughes.   Dorothy promises to tell all that and more, starting with the invitation for the trip that she received from her sweetheart and local reporter, Henry Lee Moon. After failing to convince her cousin, Helene Johnson, to accompany her, Dorothy sets sail with Henry Lee and 20 other Harlemites to the other side of the world, with no idea what this new world has in store for her. 
 
CAST J. IVY AS LANGSTON HUGHES  EVAN FRAZIER AS DOROTHY WEST NANCY GILLIAM AS RACHEL WEST KYLA LACY AS HELENE JOHNSON BRODERICK CLAVERY  AS HENRY LEE BASIL RODERICKS AS COUNTEE CULLEN SYDNEY APOLONIO AS THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR  JON KELLY AS THE NEWS REPORTER HARLEM AND MOSCOW  WAS WRITTEN BY ALLE MIMS DIRECTED BY ARES HARPER AND REGINA GRIFFIN. PRODUCER  AND SOUND DESIGNER SAM RIDDELL AUDIO ENGINEERS AARON REPPERT AND CAREY DURHAM  MUSIC BY TRANSITIONS AND THE  URSS SOVIET CHORUS

Harlem and Moscow is an audio drama based on the true story of the Harlem Renaissance in the Soviet Union.  This audio podcast immerses you in the journey as you travel to the other side of the world and back again with America’s best-kept literary secret.

In 1932, a group of Harlem Renaissance artists and activists traveled to Moscow to make a film on racism in America that would start a revolution.

Among them was up-and-coming writer Dorothy West, who was looking for a break in her acting career and the chance to connect with famed writer Langston Hughes.

Dorothy West recounts her year in the Soviet Union, recalling the hookups, heartbreaks, and lessons learned along the way.

Harlem and Moscow is an audio drama based on the true story of the Harlem Renaissance in the Soviet Union.  This audio podcast immerses you in the journey as you travel to the other side of the world and back again with America’s best-kept literary secret.
In 1932, a group of Harlem Renaissance artists and activists traveled to Moscow to make a film on racism in America that would start a revolution.
Among them was up-and-coming writer Dorothy West, who was looking for a break in her acting career and the chance to connect with famed writer Langston Hughes.
Dorothy West recounts her year in the Soviet Union, recalling the hookups, heartbreaks, and lessons learned along the way.

Harlem & Moscow

Harlem and Moscow is an audio drama based on the true story of the Harlem Renaissance in the Soviet Union.  This audio podcast immerses you in the journey as you travel to the other side of the world and back again with America’s best-kept literary secret.

In 1932, a group of Harlem Renaissance artists and activists traveled to Moscow to make a film on racism in America that would start a revolution.

Among them was up-and-coming writer Dorothy West, looking for a break in her acting career and the chance to connect with famed writer Langston Hughes.

Dorothy West recounts her year in the Soviet Union, recalling the hookups, heartbreaks, and lessons learned along the way.

Harlem and Moscow is an audio drama based on the true story of the Harlem Renaissance in the Soviet Union.  This audio podcast immerses you in the journey as you travel to the other side of the world and back again with America’s best-kept literary secret.
In 1932, a group of Harlem Renaissance artists and activists traveled to Moscow to make a film on racism in America that would start a revolution.
Among them was up-and-coming writer Dorothy West, looking for a break in her acting career and the chance to connect with famed writer Langston Hughes.
Dorothy West recounts her year in the Soviet Union, recalling the hookups, heartbreaks, and lessons learned along the way.

The Film

In the final episode of Harlem and Moscow: Red Flags we’re taking the conversation to the present day with the daughter of the 1932 trip organizer Louise Thompson Patterson. Playwright Alle Mims sits down for an enlightening and heartwarming conversation with MaryLouise Patterson. The pair discuss MaryLouise’s childhood as a “red-diaper baby” with parents in the Communist Party USA, famous family friends like Harry Belafonte, Beah Richards, and Paul Robeson, and a teenage trip to the USSR in the 1960s. Alle and MaryLousie also talk about McCarthyism, Louise’s FBI file, and the modern concerns of leftist organizers. Then, MaryLouise leaves us with a positive word about her love for Black  people and encourages us to get active in our own communities. 

CREDITS
Music Courtesy Of:
Transition
URSS Soviet Chorus 

In the final episode of Harlem and Moscow: Red Flags we’re taking the conversation to the present day with the daughter of the 1932 trip organizer Louise Thompson Patterson. Playwright Alle Mims sits down for an enlightening and heartwarming conversation with MaryLouise Patterson. The pair discuss MaryLouise’s childhood as a “red-diaper baby” with parents in the Communist Party USA, famous family friends like Harry Belafonte, Beah Richards, and Paul Robeson, and a teenage trip to the USSR in the 1960s. Alle and MaryLousie also talk about McCarthyism, Louise’s FBI file, and the modern concerns of leftist organizers. Then, MaryLouise leaves us with a positive word about her love for Black  people and encourages us to get active in our own communities. 
CREDITS Music Courtesy Of: Transition URSS Soviet Chorus

Red Flags: Descendants

In this episode of Harlem and Moscow: Red Flags we get hot, heavy and a little messy. Host Sam Riddell talks to experts about the hook-ups and heartbreaks of the 1932 trip to the Soviet Union. We learn about what the dating landscape was like during the Harlem Renaissance, the culture around marriage, views towards interracial sex, polyamorous and open relationships within the New Negro Movement, lavender marriages, and respectability politics levied toward Queer Black folks. Plus we spill tea on a certain couple who became known for their wild parties and delve into the motivations behind Dorothy’s proposal. And we link our 1932 tripgoers to phenomena of today like the Passport Bros and Love Is Blind. Sam is joined by the playwright of “Harlem and Moscow” Alle Mims as well as Angela Tate, the Women’s History Curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. With a special guest appearance by historian, cultural critic, and author of  “Our Secret Society,” Tanisha C. Ford.



CREDITS
Music Courtesy Of:
Transition

In this episode of Harlem and Moscow: Red Flags we get hot, heavy and a little messy. Host Sam Riddell talks to experts about the hook-ups and heartbreaks of the 1932 trip to the Soviet Union. We learn about what the dating landscape was like during the Harlem Renaissance, the culture around marriage, views towards interracial sex, polyamorous and open relationships within the New Negro Movement, lavender marriages, and respectability politics levied toward Queer Black folks. Plus we spill tea on a certain couple who became known for their wild parties and delve into the motivations behind Dorothy’s proposal. And we link our 1932 tripgoers to phenomena of today like the Passport Bros and Love Is Blind. Sam is joined by the playwright of “Harlem and Moscow” Alle Mims as well as Angela Tate, the Women’s History Curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. With a special guest appearance by historian, cultural critic, and author of  “Our Secret Society,” Tanisha C. Ford.
 
CREDITS Music Courtesy Of: Transition

Red Flags: Sex and the Soviet Union

In a desperate attempt to get to Langston Hughes, Dorothy West decides to propose marriage. Louise Thompson tries to talk her out of it and shares the reality of what it means to be in love with a man like Langston.  Louise also reveals a secret behind her own failed marriage.  As plans for life after Moscow remain unclear, Mildred Jones offers to stay with Dorothy in the Soviet Union for another season. But what type of relationship is Mildred looking for?  Dorothy shares her unconventional plans for the future.

Executive Producers:
Byron Allen
Carolyn Folks
Jennifer Lucas
Geraldine Moriba
Regina Griffin

Cast:
J Ivy As Langston Hughes
Evan Frazier As Dorothy West
Nancy Gilliam As Rachel West
Kyla Lacey As Helene Johnson
And Tarrey Torae As Sylvia Garner
Broderick Clavery as Henry Lee, James The Translator and The Meschrapbom Official. 
Breanna Cosette As Mildred Jones
Susaye Lawson As Louise Thompson
Basil Rodericks  As Countee Cullen 
Stephan Rumphorst as  Carl Junghans and Boris The Russian Sergeant 
Sidney Apolonio as The Volunteer Coordinator
Sam Riddell as The Train Conductor
Jon Kelly as The News Reporter

Written By Alle Mims
Directed By Ares Harper and Regina Griffin 
Producer and Sound Design Sam Riddell
Audio Engineers  Aaron Reppert and Carey Durham.
Technical Support Craig Ross and Sabua Samandu.
Booking Producer And Logistics Coordinator  Taji Senior
Audio Podcast Editor Justin Sloan
Dramaturg   Alexis Williams
Art Design By Trevor Irmler
Music By: Transitions And URSS Soviet Chorus 
Audio Recording Smash Studios
Videographer Templeton Wright 

Research for Harlem And Moscow was facilitated by The Schomburg Center,  Project Muse,  The Schlesinger  Library On The History Of Women In America At The Harvard Radcliffe Institute, Cherene Sherrard-Johnson’s Book “Dorothy West’s Paradise,”  as well as  Literary Sisters by  Verner D. Mitchell And Cynthia Davis. 

Sincere thanks go to The Dramatist  Guild,  The Dramatist Guild Foundation,  Dr. Jennifer Wilson,  Dr. Saidiya Hartman, Dr. Brent Hayes-Edwards, and Dr. Lauren Brik-Elmore.
And theGrio gives a special thanks to Gabrielle Holder,  Genia Nooks and the Gill Talent Group team.

In a desperate attempt to get to Langston Hughes, Dorothy West decides to propose marriage. Louise Thompson tries to talk her out of it and shares the reality of what it means to be in love with a man like Langston.  Louise also reveals a secret behind her own failed marriage.  As plans for life after Moscow remain unclear, Mildred Jones offers to stay with Dorothy in the Soviet Union for another season. But what type of relationship is Mildred looking for?  Dorothy shares her unconventional plans for the future.
Executive Producers: Byron Allen Carolyn Folks Jennifer Lucas Geraldine Moriba Regina Griffin
Cast: J Ivy As Langston Hughes Evan Frazier As Dorothy West Nancy Gilliam As Rachel West Kyla Lacey As Helene Johnson And Tarrey Torae As Sylvia Garner Broderick Clavery as Henry Lee, James The Translator and The Meschrapbom Official.  Breanna Cosette As Mildred Jones Susaye Lawson As Louise Thompson Basil Rodericks  As Countee Cullen  Stephan Rumphorst as  Carl Junghans and Boris The Russian Sergeant  Sidney Apolonio as The Volunteer Coordinator Sam Riddell as The Train Conductor Jon Kelly as The News Reporter
Written By Alle Mims Directed By Ares Harper and Regina Griffin  Producer and Sound Design Sam Riddell Audio Engineers  Aaron Reppert and Carey Durham. Technical Support Craig Ross and Sabua Samandu. Booking Producer And Logistics Coordinator  Taji Senior Audio Podcast Editor Justin Sloan Dramaturg   Alexis Williams Art Design By Trevor Irmler Music By: Transitions And URSS Soviet Chorus  Audio Recording Smash Studios Videographer Templeton Wright 
Research for Harlem And Moscow was facilitated by The Schomburg Center,  Project Muse,  The Schlesinger  Library On The History Of Women In America At The Harvard Radcliffe Institute, Cherene Sherrard-Johnson’s Book “Dorothy West’s Paradise,”  as well as  Literary Sisters by  Verner D. Mitchell And Cynthia Davis. 
Sincere thanks go to The Dramatist  Guild,  The Dramatist Guild Foundation,  Dr. Jennifer Wilson,  Dr. Saidiya Hartman, Dr. Brent Hayes-Edwards, and Dr. Lauren Brik-Elmore. And theGrio gives a special thanks to Gabrielle Holder,  Genia Nooks and the Gill Talent Group team.

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