Honoring the Trailblazing Jockeys
Experience an unforgettable musical journey that celebrates the legacy and stories of pioneering jockeys who transformed horse racing into America’s favorite sport. Let their triumphs and challenges inspire you through powerful storytelling and song.
“We RIDE! is an epic musical that spans generations and cultures, illuminating the untold stories of African American horse jockeys. It is powerful, moving, informative, and deeply worthy of continued development.”
Lee Summers, Director/Writer/Educator NYU Tisch School of The Arts
Experience the Heartbeat of ‘We RIDE!’ and Its Inspiring Journey
“We RIDE! (An Epic Journey”
Book, Lyrics and Music by Renee´Flemings, with music by Mario Sprouse
What is “We RIDE! (An Epic Journey)”
“We RIDE!” An Epic Journey” is a play with music and multi-media visuals capturing the different eras spanning over a hundred years in less than two hours with a diverse cast of fourteen actors portraying over fifty two characters. The action takes us on a journey spanning the globe from Kentucky, to New York, Paris and Russia with a myriad of stops along the way.
WHY “We RIDE! ( An Epic Journey )”?
For decades the stories of these brave men who set the tone for horse racing has been overlooked, along with the contributions of the Black community in shaping how the entire modern day Kentucky Derby and other international horse races have evolved including the fashions, the protocols and even the groundbreaking advent of the “photo finish”.
“We RIDE! (An Epic Journey”) begins during the 1800s focusing on the lives and stories of four winning jockeys, as they won, lost and fought to hold onto what they had achieved as jockeys, and as men. However, “We RIDE!” seeks to celebrate many, many other of the original black jockeys throughout, especially in the song, “We RIDE!”
“We RIDE! (An Epic Journey): THE MUSIC!
The music of “We RIDE! (An Epic Journey)” encompasses a myriad of genres including jazz, rap, rock and the traditional musical theatre style. All the songs and music are original, with lyrics and music by Renee´ Flemings, as well as music by Mario Sprouse. (All music has been copyrighted as well as registered with WGAE)
Collaborating on the music of “We RIDE! (An Epic Journey)”
Meet Mario E. Sprouse. Renee´and Mario have worked together for many years on different projects including “From The Front Porch” and other cabaret shows. She brings in the melodies, rough arrangements and lyrics. Mario Sprouse finesses those arrangements so they shine and provides the actual musical compositions that together take the audience on a musical journey.
Mr. Sprouse has been active in the arena of music, theater and film for well over 50 years, he is a graduate of The City College of New York, B.A. Music Composition and Theory. Since 1991 Mr. Sprouse has been the Arts Ministry Coordinator for Marble Collegiate Church, and has worked in several positions since 1996 for Marble Vision, the media ministry of Marble, including his current position of Production Assistant Director.
Mr. Sprouse was the Music Supervisor for three films of the late, legendary, modern Renaissance man Gordon Parks, for whom he was the musical assistant for over 20 years. “Moments Without Proper Names,” “Martin – a film ballet” and the Emmy-nominated HBO documentary “Half-Past Autumn: the Life and Works of Gordon Parks.” He also produced Mr. Parks’ first CD of original classical music created to accompany his book “A Star for Noon.” Mr. Sprouse is a member of the Board of Directors of the Gordon Parks Foundation,and iscurrently working on a project with Mr. Lee Pringle, founder and Artistic Director of the Colour of Music Festival of Black Classical Musicians, to bring the classical music of Gordon Parks to international prominence. In October 2023, he received the “Choice of Weapons Award” from the Gordon Parks Museum in Fort Scott, Kansas. This award honors those who have furthered the vison of Mr. Parks.
Mr. Sprouse has provided musical arrangements for several short films, including “Beer Nuts,” directed by Lynn Ancona, “Mr. Dangle,” directed by Mary Gregory, and “The Bally Master,” directed by Gary Beeber. In 2015 Mr. Sprouse was the music supervisor, composer and arranger for the critically acclaimed documentary film “Art Bastard” which chronicles the life of artist Bob Cenedella.
Mr. Sprouse has been musical director for a number of theatrical events, including “Black Nativity – a Gospel Song Play” by Langston Hughes (Obie Award winner) – directed by Jesse Wooden Jr., “Lena Calhoun Horne – the Civil Rights Journey of a Negro Woman” – written by Wendi Franklin, directed by Lillie Marie Redwood (2003) and Micki Grant (2011). This play with music was invited to the 2003 and 2011 National Black Theater Festival in Winston-Salem, N. C. In 2020 Mr. Sprouse received an AUDELCO Award for Outstanding Musical Direction for “The Dark Star from Harlem – the Spectacular Rise of Josephine Baker” – performed at La Mama Theater in New York City and for which he wrote the original music and arrangements.
Carmen McRae, Hubert Laws, Cornell Dupree, Buster Williams, Freddie Hubbard and Grover Washington, Jr. are some of the jazz artists who have recorded his musical arrangements. Orchestrations and original songs written by Mr. Sprouse have been performed live by Gregory Hines and Phylicia Rashaad.
Mr. Sprouse is the author of “Precious & Honored – a Spiritual Handbook for Artists.” In 2022, he was named a Visionary of The Foundation for Spirituality and the Arts, founded by Tyler Rollins, for his life-long work in bringing the two disciplines closer together.
Listen below to excerpts from a selection of songs from “We RIDE! (An Epic Journey)” All songs under copyright/rights reserved.
- 1. Jim Crow Said So
- 2.This Woman’s Love
- 3. Height of Fashion
- Will You Remember Me
- Battle Royale
- This Is Living/Is This Living
- Jim Crow Said So Reprise
- Finesse
- We RIDE!!
- The Crazy Years
- Tell Somebody
The Journey of “We RIDE! (An Epic Journey)”
2020-2021: Research and exploration; 2022: Continued research and Renee´ is awarded a residency at Art OMI, where she completes the initial draft ; 2023: A first reading @ KQ Playwrights in NYC of the book only, no songs. 2024- 2025: Revisions, revisions, revisions and composing the songs (lyrics & melodies); 2025-2026: Collaborating with Mario Sprouse to complete the full compositions; 2026: The first public reading of the full musical at Studio 353, NY in January.
Thank you to the amazing cast of actors and crew of the January reading, and the incredible Mario Sprouse for taking this project to the next step. THIS IS NOT THE END.
What’s next: A more fully realized reading with the intention of seeking support to move “We RIDE! (An Epic Journey)” towards a workshop and a full production.
If you have questions or are interested in finding out more, please email: renee.flemings01@gmail.com
THIS IS A STORY TO BE TOLD. IT IS RELEVANT TO OUR LIVES NOW.
Audience Reflections and Stories
A piece of history I knew nothing about and will never forget. The music was as well defined as the talented cast of characters. Fourteen actors effortlessly spanned decades in multiple roles. I was riveted by the story, the music and every character. Broadway worthy talent in every area. Voices and stories that need to be heard.
Bambi Everson, Writer/Actor/Theatre Enthusiast
“I LOVED IT!” Marjorie Johnson, Actor/Artist
“WE RIDE was such a stunning experience, one of those delicious possibilities in theatre when you experience a time capsule of history you knew nothing about, long ago, you’re absolutely transported by compelling storytelling, magnificent music and performances that match both, and you realize in the corners of your imagination that this has everything to do with where we are right now, right this minute. It was powerful, prescient, provocative, and eye-opening.
I’m no fan of horse racing but WE RIDE converted everyone in the audience to a fan of its history in America, how entwined it was with our own complicated racial history, and along the way spins a yarn rooted in history that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Theatre possibilities just don’t get much better than this piece and every artist from top to bottom was first class.
One of those works where, after you experience it, you’re just hungry to learn more!”
Hamilton Clancy
Director/Actor/Producer: The Drilling Company
Every moment of “We Ride” is inspired and inspiring. The script’s pace and rhythms echo the jockeys’ stories, human stories of struggle and triumph, largely untold until now.
Anne Connelly, Actor/Writer/Theatre Enthusiast
I grew up in the home of the Preakness, Baltimore, so the big horse races were not foreign to me; but the African American component and contribution to that history was completely new to me. The piece is poignant, informative, entertaining, and completely electric. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this beautiful work.
Karen Kitz-Clancy
Writer/Artist/Theatre Enthusiast
WE RIDE was a beautiful peek into the world black derby riders. I was moved by the pride and commitment of these men and their families.
Adrienne Williams, Director/Actor/Theatre Enthusiast
A thrilling, funny, and disturbing ride through the lives of the great Black jockeys, unsung and unknown to most of us—but not anymore, hopefully!—who were the underpinning for all the horse racing derbies that exists today.
Lynda Crawford, Playwright/Editor/Instructor SUNY Empire College
Renee’ Flemings play “We RIDE” is an important, dynamic and powerful recounting of a missing piece in American history and the black culture that needs to be heard and told. A true and astonishing piece of theatrical events brought to light with gravitas, grace and humanity.
This wonderful play with music succinctly covers 100 years of historical events uncovering the journey of a group of men, black jockeys, whose stories have been brought to life by the playwright to share with the world. Beautifully navigated and written.
Susan Barrett Actor/Artist/Theatre Enthusiast
Discover the Untold Stories of Horse Racing’s Legends
Join us in celebrating the courage and legacy of pioneering jockeys through inspiring music and storytelling. Dive deeper to experience their unforgettable journeys and impact.