By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

The acclaimed musical stageplay 'If This Hat Could Talk: The Untold Story of Women of the Civil Rights Movement' will play the world's famous Apollo Theatre this weekend.

Written and directed by Tony award winner George Faison, the play highlights some of history's most triumphant and tragic moments from 1924 to 1972.

Starring former R&B diva Alyson Williams, former chart-topping R&B hunk Tony Terry, musical actress Margaret Bell and contemporary gospel star on the rise Natalie Wilson, 'Hat Could Talk' is a musical tribute honoring heroic women like Mary McLeod Bethune, Rosa Parks, Ida B. wells, Fannie Lou Hamer, Coretta Scott King, Eleanor Roosevelt, Myrlie Evers, Polly Cowan and Dr. Dorothy I. Height -- whose memoirs 'Open Wide The Freedom Gates' the show was inspired by.

"Seeing the play will remind the older generation of the struggle we survived and progress we made," Faison told The BV Newswire this afternoon. "It also gives the younger generation a chance to learn about the courage and strength of their parents and grandparents as they faced unbearable obstacles in the struggle for civil rights."

Original song lyrics and music were written by the show's co-Executive Producer, Joe Coleman, the lead vocalist of the renowned singing group, The Platters.

According to media specialist Keith L. Forest, the musical has been compared to the best on Broadway and hailed as the heartbeat of generations past, present and future. The play underscores the upheaval of the Civil Rights movement with an uplifting inspirational musical score that harmoniously combines blues, jazz, gospel, R&B and small elements of hip hop and neo soul. Moving historical images and archival footage orchestrated during critical moments heightens the experience.

A key commitment of this musical is an educational component, The Dorothy I. Height Youth for Excellence Initiative (YFE). Two free matinees will be held for YFE students from the New York Public Schools, Forest confirmed. The students will also participate in scholarship opportunities, and hear testimonials from local heroes and sheroes.

On March 24, a special Civil Rights Living Legend Celebration and Tribute to Dr. Height will take place at Harlem's Pier 2110, sponsored by Verizon.

As the only female member of the famed Civil Right Six, Height was confronted with the duality of supporting her race while defending her gender. She is the Chair and President Emerita of The National Council of Negro Women.

Forest also confirmed that the musical will also play in Philadelphia's Academy of Music and Cincinnati's Music Hall next month.