One-Man Show Recreates Frederick Douglass
Celebrates MLK Day

As part of the Society of Skeptics lecture series at Blair in January, actor Fred Morsell returned to Blair for a third performance of his one-man show on the life of Frederick Douglass, the famed 19th century escaped slave, abolitionist, journalist and champion of equality. His program coincided with the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Morsell visited the school several years ago, and many in the audience were impressed with his delivery, animation and charm as a performer.

Morsell’s professional acting career spans more than 38 years and includes seasons with The Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, The Repertory Theatre of Lincoln Center, The New York Shakespeare Festival, the McCarter Theatre of Princeton, and other regional theatres throughout America, where, among other roles, he has starred as Macbeth and Othello. He has appeared both on and off Broadway in numerous plays and musicals, and has an extensive background in film and television. His television credits include the role of Frederick Douglass in the CBS Bi-Centennial production, We, The Women, as well as appearances in Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, and various soap operas. A lyric baritone, Morsell has sung leading roles in 21 operas. For several years in Los Angeles, Morsell was the weekend announcer for the Los Angeles PBS Affiliate, KCET.

Acclaimed across the United States for his portrayal of Frederick Douglass, Morsell performed at many of the nation’s Frederick Douglass centennial celebrations, staged throughout 1995, most notably as the performer of choice for the National Park Service Celebrations in Washington, D.C. In 1994, he was featured on PBS’ Bill Moyers Journal, delivering Frederick Douglass’ last great speech, “The Lesson of the Hour.” Of that performance (February, 1994), The New York Times wrote, “Even 100 years later, sadly enough, the speech goes right to the very heart of the black experience in America.”

Click here for a listing of other upcoming Skeptics speakers this winter.

Updated 1/19/2010

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