Actress, singer, and poet Kimberly Wilson of Westport will present her original performance piece, A Journey . . . A Play/A Story/A Song at the Wilton Historical Society on Friday, Feb. 27 in a special “luncheon theater” format from 12–2 p.m. in the Burt Barn Gallery.

It’s a tour-de-force of acting and song, as the statuesque Wilson modulates her powerful contralto from a whisper to a fervent spiritual, capturing the spirits of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, and two invented characters she calls the Slave Woman and the African Queen. While these historical reflections are the stories of black women with remarkable experiences, Wilson says they could be about any woman striving to make a better life for herself, her family and her community.

“These are historical figures I’m portraying, but anybody who comes to see the show can find something in their own history,” says Wilson. “Everyone has a unique journey.”

With strength, dignity, and pride, Wilson tells the stories of these remarkable women. Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery and guided many family members and friends north through the Underground Railroad to freedom. Born a slave, Sojourner Truth escaped and became an important abolitionist and women’s rights proponent. The “first lady of civil rights,” Rosa Parks, refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in 1955, which helped launch the Civil Rights movement. Author, activist, actress Maya Angelou, perhaps best known for her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, is also invoked.

Originally from Minneapolis, Kimberly Wilson started acting at The Minneapolis Children’s Theater. After studying at Howard University, Kimberly returned home and continued her career. She has appeared in many productions, notably,  The Great White Hope, Ain’t Misbehavin’, For Colored Girls…, The Sunshine Boys, The Shadow Box, A-My Name is Alice, Little Shop of Horrors and Ragtime the Musical. Since 2010, Kimberly has been touring A Journey . . ., her original one-woman show. She is a member of Norwalk’s Theater Artist’s Workshop, SAG and AFTRA.

Catered lunch is included. Cost per tickets to members is $20.00, non-members is $25.00. To register and reserve a place, contact the Wilton Historical Society by email  or call 203.762.7257. The Wilton Historical Society is located at 224 Danbury Rd..