“The Lorraine” Stage Play at 8550 Hunters Village Rd – Tampa, FL

Lorraine is a story about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact on the city of Memphis and some of the most influential musical artists of the 1960’s.  Melvin and Marvin Coleman the writer and producers of the Lorraine felt it necessary to take the pivotal step of not only launching the project from Atlanta, the home town of Dr. King, but doing so during Black History Month closing on the 65th anniversary of his tragic assassination.  

Though many people are familiar with the Lorraine Motel and its connection to that tragic day on April 4, 1968, the history has been overshadowed. The Lorraine Motel was a Green Book Motel and designated as a safe place for African American travelers to stay while in Memphis. It was also one block away from Stax Records. Notable artist such as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes and Johnny Taylor frequented there and if you were an African American artist the likes of Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye or a host of others visiting the Memphis music scene, you likely stayed there. 

 This is a redemptive story, bringing to light the value and resilience of the people who changed the world through struggle and perseverance for civil rights not only shining the light of the far-reaching impact, but the redemption of a place that meant so much to so many people.