The show is based on Jeanette Winter's children's book of the same name, "Follow the Drinking Gourd." The drinking gourd refers to the Big Dipper, the constellation pointing to the North Star.

NEW YORK — Richie Havens, who marshaled a craggy voice ... which he wrote with the actor Louis Gossett Jr.; ‘‘Follow,’’ which became one of his signature songs; and a cover of Bob ...