Ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a locally produced play at the Lied Center will celebrate the legacy of the iconic civil rights leader.

Titled “The Steps of a Good Man,” the play, written by Lawrence resident Rita Rials, is an intergenerational story centered on an elderly man who shares his experiences with the civil rights movement from his front porch.

“Our goal is to bring (King’s) message back and demonstrate how it remains relevant and powerful to us in today’s times,” said Nicole Rials, Rita’s sister, who’s in the play and has a solo vocal performance. “Rehearsals are going strong and the cast is excited to share the message of Dr. King and others with the community.”

Nicole said that music was blended into the production because of song’s ability to evoke emotion and “carry a message to the heart.”

The play will also feature Anthony Lewis, the superintendent of the Lawrence school district, in a supporting role.

“It really spoke to my core,” Lewis, an Alabama native, said, via a video posted to Life Restoration Ministries’ Facebook page. “Growing up in the South — and being in the church and around elderly people.”

Lewis sees some parallels, he said, between the themes of the play and the school district, indicating that one character “really spoke to my heart in terms of how she had some discussion about her daily lived experiences in a school setting.”

“When she spoke her lines, it became so clear and close to the real work that we do here in this school system,” he said.

The play will be Lewis’ first live performance, he said, and he added that the cast and the play’s messages helped instill confidence in him during the somewhat intimidating process of acting.

“You really begin to see the key messaging. Every time we rehearse, I see a different nugget within the production. And to bring Rita’s vision to life is really, truly remarkable,” he said.

Other actors in the play include Topeka pastor and community leader Delmar White and Kansas City-based actress and author Victoria Barbee.

The play will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 13 at the Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Drive. Ticket information can be found at lied.ku.edu. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the following Monday, Jan. 15.