MUSE/IQUE continues its 2025 season, Make Some Noise: Music and Stories of American Defiance and Hope, with a compelling revival of The UnAmericans: Talented and Targeted, a poignant concert exploring the lives of blacklisted artists and their enduring influence on American music and culture. Under the direction of Artistic and Music Director Rachael Worby, performances take place Tuesday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. at The Huntington, and Sunday, June 15 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Skirball Cultural Center.
Revisiting History Through Song
Originally presented in 2023, The UnAmericans chronicles the impact of the Hollywood blacklist of the 1940s–60s on composers, musicians, and vocalists. The show pays tribute to their resilience and creative courage, spotlighting how music served as a lifeline and a form of protest against political suppression.
At the heart of the performance is a curated setlist representing artists whose careers were disrupted by the Red Scare, including Pete Seeger, Paul Robeson, Lena Horne, Gypsy Rose Lee, and Yip Harburg. The show draws a powerful connection between past and present, illustrating how American values—particularly freedom of expression—are forged through cultural resistance.
Star-Studded Guest Lineup
The program features GRAMMY® Award winner Brandon Victor Dixon, acclaimed vocalist Angie Fisher, multi-instrumentalist Tom Ranier, and the acclaimed DC6 Singers Collective. Dixon, known for his Emmy-nominated performance in NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar and his recent Broadway run in Hell’s Kitchen, brings his powerful stage presence to the production. Fisher, a Pasadena native and in-demand session vocalist, has performed with music legends such as Mariah Carey and Chaka Khan.
A Deep Dive Into the Blacklist Era
The concert explores key moments and figures from the blacklist era, including HUAC’s interrogation of Pete Seeger, Paul Robeson’s ostracization, and the career-halting consequences faced by Lena Horne and Hazel Scott. With historical commentary woven through music, the program spotlights songs like “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” and “Over the Rainbow”—tracks that became emblems of American longing and resistance, despite their creators being blacklisted.
A Legacy That Endures
The performance also reflects on artists like Charlie Chaplin, whose political views led to exile; and Judy Holliday, whose nuanced defense of civil liberties helped shield her career. Each artist’s story, threaded with archival context, underscores the cost of censorship—and the power of music to transcend it.
About the Artists
Brandon Victor Dixon is a Tony®, Emmy®, and GRAMMY® nominee whose Broadway and television roles include Hamilton, The Color Purple, RENT, and Modern Love.
Angie Fisher, known for her breakout single “I.R.S.,” has toured and recorded with Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, and Lionel Richie.
The DC6 Singers Collective is a dynamic a cappella group known for their gospel and Motown-infused performances in film and TV, including Get Out and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Tom Ranier, a sought-after multi-instrumentalist and composer, has worked on major soundtracks such as Frozen, Star Wars IX, and Indiana Jones 5, and accompanied icons including Tony Bennett and Madonna.
For tickets and more information, visit muse-ique.com.
