Sanctified Explores Through Music How Diverse Attitudes are Transformed into an Inspired Unity

 

Marissa Lily, Mils James, Manny Walker, Emir Hardy, Chuck Timbers, Cheryl El Walker, Katy Cotten & Brenda Marks Set by Mark Clayton Southers Credit all Photos: Kim El

One of the many things live theater does well is taking its audience to different places, times and moods through the power of story-telling.

While this is a fairly obvious observation, this thought became especially poignant when, over a period of less than 24 hours, when I found myself on board a battleship in late 18^th century Portsmouth, England, then, 17 hours later, walking into a small Black church in rural South Carolina in the present day.

The vehicles for this geographic time travel to places and times worlds apart were Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, “H.M. S. Pinafore” and playwright Javon Johnson’s “Sanctified.” Both works, while musical comedies with morals to the story, came from diverse and rich cultural backgrounds.

I’ve already published my review of Pinafore on my arts and entertainment blog and now it’s time to consider “Sanctified.” The story opens with two men, one older called Sir (Sam Lothard), the other still wet behind the ears in his mid-20s (I’m guessing) named Mister (Dionysius Akeem) who saunter in with some boxes filled with donated goods. Like a couple of FedEx delivery men, they playfully tease one another with some humorous jabs. Think in the direction of Key and Peele.

Dionysius Westbrook, Emir Hardy & Sam Lothard

As the newly arrived pastor, Harold Jones (Emir J. Hardy) is full of plans for growing his church whose congregation has been in decline. To stimulate interest in the church, he’s planning for a 30^th anniversary revival. Wanting to keep things as they were (and still are) old time choir members like Clara (Cheryl El Walker) and Deacon (Charles Timbers), are strongly opposed to change.

You’d have to include the church pianist, Thelma (Brenda Marks) in the conservative group. She refuses to learn to read sheet music but wants to continue to “play by ear.” She also provides the show with one of its best running gags, pulling out a flask of whiskey from time to time and imbibing just “to get rid of her demons.”

Dionysius Akeem as Mister and Marissa Lily as Monique

On the flip side of the coin are youngsters Jamal (Manny Walker) and his sister, Monique (Marissa Lily) who are the music innovators of the choir. Hot blooded Jamal pleads to have rap included in the repertoire, while his mild-mannered sister favors pop and R&B.

          The show includes some remarkable footwork choreographed by Mils James, who also plays the stuttering choir member Bobby. Able to not stutter when he sings, he, as choreographer, creates some interesting dance routines for himself, Akeem and Walker.

Emir Hardy, Marissa Manny Walker, Katy Cotten, Karla Payne & Brenda Marks

       One of the best voices comes from Sis Pauletta Jones (Karla C. Payne) who can break glass with her powerful operatic virtuosity. She, in fact, plays a character who’s traveled the world singing opera, but comes into his cousin/pastor’s church with the airs of a diva and the mind set of an elitist. Naturally, she’s disliked by almost everyone in the choir.

The most dramatic musical moment of the play comes from Sarah (the incredibly talented Willa Catherine “Katy” Cotton), whose rendition of the title song “Sanctified” shakes the theater to the rafters and ignited the audience into a near frenzy on the day of my performance.

There’s some amazing keyboard work by Dwayne Fulton who plays Rollo A. Dilworth’s masterful score with help from bassist Lorenze Jefferson and drummer JohnKarl Council. Note: If I could catch Fulton at some upcoming jazz concert, I’d be sure to try to make it. He was that impressive.

For my part, the music is the star of the show with the narrative coming in at second place. Playwright Javon Johnson, who also directs the musical, obviously has an ear for comedy: he had the audience in stitches throughout most of the performance.

Eventually, the dissention among the choir grows ever more heated until Mister jumps in to sum up each of the charter’s faults and foibles. His words seem to have a palliative effect on the choir members who unite in song even more when they learn the secret of the two delivery men.

Karla C. Payne as Sis Pauletta Jones and Charles Timbers as Deacon

For a 2 hour and 25-minute show, the time seems to fly by, an indication of its ability to hold your attention. “Sanctified” is definitely entertaining, laughter-filled and uplifting and inspirational all in one. As British Biblical historian F.F. Bruce once said “Sanctification is glory begun. Glory is sanctification completed.” Start on your own road to glory and catch “Sanctified” during the remainder of its run.

Now playing through March 30, “Sanctified” is at the Carter Redwood Theatre in the Madison Arts Center, 3400 Milwaukee Street in Pittsburgh. For tickets and more information, log on to go to http://www.pghplaywrights.org/.