Court Theatre - under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Angel Ysaguirre, Executive Director - is overjoyed to present the fourth and final production of its 2022/23 season: The Gospel at Colonus.
Conceived and adapted by Lee Beuer with music composed by Bob Telson, this exuberant, celebratory musical will be directed by Mark J.P. Hood and Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director Charles Newell, with Associate Director TaRon Patton and Associate Music Director Mahmoud Khan. The Gospel at Colonus runs May 12 – June 11, 2023 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 7:30pm.
The cast of The Gospel at Colonus includes Kelvin Roston Jr. (Oedipus); Aeriel Williams (Antigone); Timothy Edward Kane (Creon); Ariana Burks (Ismene); Mark Spates Smith (Theseus); Kai A. Ealy (Polyneices); Shari Addison (Choragos, Soloist); Eric A. Lewis(Choragos); Juwon Tyrel Perry (The Friend, Chorus); Jessica Brooke Seals (Evangelist, Chorus); Jerica Exum (Chorus); Shantina Lynet’ (Chorus); Isaac Ray (Chorus); Eva Ruwé (Chorus); and Cherise Thomas (Chorus).
The music team includes Director Mark J.P. Hood (Music Director); Mahmoud Khan (Associate Music Director, Conductor, Keyboard, Organist); Joshua Griffin (Bass Guitar, Music Programmer, Playback Engineer); Amr Fahmy (Keyboard); Oscar Brown, Jr. (Lead Guitar); and Leonard Maddox Jr. (Drums).
The creative team includes John Culbert (Scenic Design); Raquel Adorno (Costume Design); Keith Parham (Lighting Design); Sarah Ramos (Sound Design); Cristin Carole (Movement Design); Wenke (Coco) Huang (Production Dramaturg); Gabrielle Randle-Bent (Oedipus Trilogy Dramaturg); Becca McCracken (Casting); Kate Ocker (Production Stage Manager); and Natalie Cohen (Assistant Stage Manager).
Soulful and stirring, this one-of-a-kind theatrical event breathes new life into the Oedipus myth with a score of powerful gospel music. A bold collaboration from an extraordinary team led by Mark J.P. Hood and Charles Newell, The Gospel at Colonus builds upon the strengths and experiences of its artists to bring this redemptive musical celebration to life on Chicago’s South Side.
“This is a play I have held in my heart for almost forty years,” says Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director Charles Newell. “And, for a project that I thought I knew for all this time, Mark J.P. Hood has shown me things that I had never seen before. His generosity and his willingness to share his deep, profound knowledge of gospel music has allowed us to make something that neither one of us could create on our own. Much like the journey of Oedipus to Colonus, this production has been the journey of a lifetime, and it is my honor to share The Gospel at Colonus with audiences.”
Director Mark J.P. Hood elaborates: “As a Chicago native who now resides in Los Angeles, I’m glad to be doing this show here because Chicago is so rich in gospel culture. Gospel, as a genre, is expansive and in this production, I want to show that range and pay tribute to all generations of gospel music. The music itself is a form of inspiration, and you will leave this production uplifted. This is a show of possibilities. It doesn’t matter who you worship to, or if you worship at all - it’s all possible here.”
The Gospel at Colonus is based on an adaptation of Sophocles' Oedipus at Colonus in the version by Robert Fitzgerald, and incorporating passages from both Sophocles' Oedipus Rex and Antigone in the versions by Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald, which are published as The Oedipus Cycle of Sophocles, a Harvest/HBJ Book, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc.
Individual tickets are on sale now. Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at (773) 753-4472 or online at CourtTheatre.org.
The Gospel at Colonus is sponsored by the Poetry Foundation and Gustavo Bamberger and Martha Van Haitsma. This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
About the Artists
LEE BREUER (Adaptation, Original Lyrics, Adapted Lyrics, 1937-2021) was a director and writer whose work expanded the boundaries of storytelling in the American theater. Breuer’s theatrical presentations spanned performance art, theater, film, video, music, the visual arts, literature, and opera, and have engaged audiences beyond the avant-garde world where his early work originated. His works include The Lost Ones (1976), Sister Suzie Cinema (1980), A Prelude to Death in Venice (1980), The Gospel at Colonus (1983), The Warrior Ant (1986), Peter and Wendy (1997), and Dollhouse (2003).
BOB TELSON (Adapted Lyrics, Composer) is an American composer, singer/songwriter, and pianist best known for his work in musical theater and film, for which he has received Tony, Pulitzer, and Academy Award nominations. Among his best known works are the score for Bagdad Café, and the musical The Gospel at Colonus, starring Morgan Freeman and The Five Blind Boys of Alabama. His songs have been recorded by Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, Jeff Buckley, George Benson, Joe Cocker, Celine Dion, Etta James, k.d. lang, Shawn Colvin, Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa, George Michael, and The Five Blind Boys of Alabama.
MARK J.P. HOOD (Director, Music Director) is thrilled to be collaborating with Charlie Newell, Mahmoud Khan, and the entire Gospel cast and creative team. Television credits include House of Payne, Grand Crew, The Resident, Churchy, and more. He was a fan favorite on The Voice and has been seen on stage in The Scottsboro Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sister Act: The Musical, The Other Cinderella (BTAA Award, Best Leading Actor in a Musical), and others. He’s performed with Kirk Franklin, Maverick City, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Kelly Rowland, H.E.R., and many more.
CHARLES NEWELL (Director, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director), together with Angel Ysaguirre, accepted the 2022 Regional Theatre Tony Award on behalf of Court staff and artists. Recent directorial credits include The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice, co-directed with Gabrielle Randle-Bent; Oedipus Rex; and The Adventures of Augie March. Charlie has directed at Goodman, Guthrie, Arena Stage, Long Wharf, and many others. Awards received include the SDCF Zelda Fichandler Award, four Jeff Awards, and sixteen Jeff nominations. Charlie is a co-founder of the Civic Actor Studio, a leadership program of the University of Chicago’s Office of Civic Engagement.
TARON PATTON (Associate Director) is the CEO of GLP PRODUCTIONS, INC. Producer credits: Jeff Award recipient The Billboard (16th Street Theater); N (Greenhouse Theater Center); Misty Tanner (Q&A Productions). Directing credits: The Billboard (16th Street Theater); N (Greenhouse Theater Center); Saturday Night/Sunday Morning (Steppenwolf Garage Rep); Bulrusher and A Nativity Tribute (Congo Square). Acting credits: Her Honor Jane Byrne (Lookingglass Theatre); By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (Goodman); Hot L Baltimore (Steppenwolf). Television credits: The Chi, Empire, Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire, Chicago Med.
MAHMOUD KHAN (Associate Music Director, Conductor, Keyboard, Organist) works as a musician, conductor, composer, arranger, and producer. His theatrical credits include: A Fool Such As I (eta Creative Arts, BTAA for Sound Design); the touring production of Crowns; Hitzville: The Show (Planet Hollywood Las Vegas); Dreamgirls (Alhambra Theatre and Dining); Eyes (eta Creative Arts); A Nativity Tribute (Congo Square); and many others. He currently serves as the Minister of Music at Carter Temple C.M.E. and is owner of Geniuskhan Music LLC. www.geniuskhan.com.
SHARI ADDISON (Choragos, Soloist) has had a tremendous career that has spanned many genres over five decades, but she especially loves gospel. She was first runner-up on BET’s Sunday Best, hosted by Kirk Franklin, and appeared on BET’s Celebration of Gospel, hosted by Steve Harvey. Shari performed at Carnegie Hall for the 1000th performance of The Gospel at Colonus, as well as performing on the world tour. A Stellar Award-winning gospel artist and Jeff Award-winning actress, Shari is thrilled to celebrate her friends, Lee Breuer and Bob Telson, and the rebirth of their masterpiece at Court Theatre.
ARIANA BURKS (Ismene) is so blessed to be a part of her first show at Court Theatre! Theatre credits include Children of Eden (Cadillac Palace); Spring Awakening (Porchlight); Urinetown (BoHo Theatre); The Nutcracker (The House Theatre); Hairspray (Paramount Theatre); Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure (Chicago Children’s Theatre); The Compass, Dance Nation (Steppenwolf); Trevor: The Musical, Next to Normal (Writers); Life After, A Christmas Carol (Goodman). Television/film credits include Beats, South Side, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, The Jr. Cuisine Cooking Show (2011 Emmy Award nomination), and PrankStars.
KAI A. EALY (Polyneices) is honored to return to Court Theatre. His performance credits include Toni Stone (Goodman); Kill Move Paradise and Cardboard Piano (TimeLine); The Island, Oedipus Rex, and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Auburn’s The Adventures of Augie March (Court); A Raisin in the Sun (UCCS Theatreworks); Schiller’s Mary Stuart (Chicago Shakespeare); Franklinland (Jackalope); Migration (eta Creative Arts); and the 30th Annual Young Playwrights Festival (Pegasus Theatre Chicago). Television: 61st Street, The 4400, Ordinary Joe, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Fire. He is represented by Paonessa Talent Agency, Chicago, and WEG Talent, New York.
JERICA EXUM (Chorus; u/s Antigone) is making her Court Theatre debut. Jerica was last seen as Middle Allie in the world premiere of The Notebook at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Other select Chicago credits include: Cinderella, Newsies (Paramount); Women of Soul (Mercury Theater). National tour: Nurse Norma (u/s Becky) in Waitress. Regional: Ivoryton Playhouse, Little Theatre on the Square, and Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse. International: Norwegian Cruise Line, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Universal Studios Japan. Represented by DDO Artists Agency.
TIMOTHY EDWARD KANE (Creon) Court credits: An Iliad; The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice; Oedipus Rex; All My Sons;One Man, Two Guvnors; The Wild Duck; Titus Andronicus; Uncle Vanya; Hamlet; and others. Chicago credits include Writers, Northlight, TimeLine, Goodman, Steppenwolf, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Regional credits: Mark Taper Forum, Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, Peninsula Players, and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. TV: Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire, and Empire. Awards: Jeff Award, AfterDark, Chicago Magazine. Mr. Kane is married to actress Kate Fry with whom he has two sons; he’s an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Loyola University Chicago.
ERIC A. LEWIS (Choragos; u/s Oedipus) was last seen in Court’s production of Five Guys Named Moe. National tour: Jesus Christ Superstar. Off-Broadway: Spamilton. Other credits include: Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls at Porchlight Music Theatre, which earned him a Jeff Award; Parade (BoHo Theatre); Smokey Joe’s Cafe, All Shook Up (Fireside Theatre); Ragtime, Sister Act (Marriott).
SHANTINA LYNET’ (Chorus) is a singer, songwriter, performer, arranger, actress, musical director, vocal coach, and public speaking coach. These are just a few roles to describe Miss Shantina Lynet’ Lowe’s abilities. She has performed with Lizzo, Kanye West, and Carrie Underwood, and has opened for artists like Jeremih and Taylor Bennett.
JUWON TYREL PERRY (The Friend, Chorus; u/s Theseus) is a genre-bending, multidisciplinary artist who hails from Osceola, Arkansas. Juwon has had the opportunity to perform with North Carolina Theatre, Court Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Geva Theatre Center, Marriott, Chicago Shakespeare, and many more. Juwon owes his love of music to his late father, Joe Charles Perry Jr., who himself was a musician whose musical taste knew no genre. BFA: Columbia College Chicago; Additional Training: Black Box Acting Academy.
ISAAC RAY (Chorus) is an artist from Chicago. He prides himself on his work ethic, passion, precision to detail, and ability to adapt to a variety of music genres. He has a background in classical music and vocal techniques and is an alumnus of the Chicago High School for the Arts. Isaac is currently a full-time professional artist, dancer, actor, vocal director, and recording session singer. His theatre credits include: A New Attitude: In Tribute To Patti Labelle and Urban Love Story (Black Ensemble Theater).
KELVIN ROSTON JR. (Oedipus) is excited to be back at Court! Court credits: Oedipus Rex (Oedipus), King Hedley II (King Hedley), Five Guys Named Moe (Four-Eyed Moe), and many others. Recent credits include: Clue (Mercury Theater); The Color Purple (MSMT); The Wiz (Fulton Theatre). Chicagoland: Congo Square, Paramount, Marriott, Goodman, ITC, eta, Writers, Black Ensemble, TimeLine, Northlight, Steppenwolf. International: Orb (Tokyo, Japan); Festival Hall (Osaka, Japan). Television: Chicago Med, Chicago P.D., South Side. Film: Get a Job, Princess Cyd, Breathing Room. Awards: Jeff Award, three BTAA Awards, two Black Excellence Awards, NAMI Award. AEA, Paonessa Talent.
EVA RUWÉ (Chorus) is multi-talented coloratura soprano with a five-octave vocal range, specializing in jazz, gospel, and R&B. Theatre credits: Little Shop of Horrors (Theatre at the Center). Eva has toured the country as a comedian and recording artist, is a Stellar Award nominee, and hit the Top 10 Billboard Jazz Charts. Her recent projects include her album, Dark Love. Spring of 2023 marks her first television appearance and Court Theatre debut.
JESSICA BROOKE SEALS (Evangelist, Chorus) is an actress and singer from Chicago who has been performing since the age of six. A few of Jessica’s theatrical credits include: The Other Cinderella (Black Ensemble Theater); Jesus Christ Superstar (Paramount); Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Women of Soul (Mercury Theater). Her latest renderings as Associate Hair/Wig Designer were showcased in TimeLine Theatre’s Boulevard of Bold Dreams.
MARK SPATES SMITH (Theseus) is honored to be back at Court Theatre. His last production at Court was 2019’s Oedipus Rex, in which he played the Chorus Leader. Assorted theatre credits include How Long Will I Cry? (Steppenwolf); Katori Hall’s Hoodoo Love (Collective Theatre); The Lake Effect (Silk Road Rising); Dreamgirls, The Color Purple (Theater 47); and The Mountaintop (Court Theatre). Television credits include The 4400, Black Lightning, The Chi, Chicago P.D., Empire, and Shining Girls.
CHERISE THOMAS (Vocal Supervisor, Chorus; u/s Choragos and Soloist) Broadway: Waitress. Tour: Disenchanted! A New Musical Comedy. Regional: Hair, Dreamgirls, A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle. TV: The Chi, Empire. Film: Plow, The Talented Tenth. Music available on all streaming platforms under Cherise Coaches.
AERIEL WILLIAMS (Antigone) was last seen in Court’s production of Oedipus Rex as Antigone. National tour: The Color Purple. Off-Broadway: Trevor: The Musical. Regional credits include: Million Dollar Quartet, Memphis, Black Pearl: A Tribute to Josephine Baker, Women of Soul, Dreamgirls, A Winter’s Tale, and Seven Guitars. TV Credits: The Chi and Empire. Aeriel was recognized as one of the Hot New Faces of Chicago Theater and Top Performers in 2017 from the Chicago Tribune. Music available on all streaming platforms under Mon’Aerie.
OSCAR BROWN, JR. (Lead Guitar) is a multi-instrumentalist and music producer from Chicago. Recent theater credits include Blue Heaven (Lead Guitar), Grandma’s Jukebox (Lead Guitar/Vocal Arranger/Band Leader), and the Plays With A Purpose series at Black Ensemble Theater; Women of Soul (Guitar, Mercury Theater). Oscar is very excited to be making his debut at Court Theatre!
AMR FAHMY (Keyboard) studied jazz piano and violin performance at DePaul University. He has performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, and the Red Sea Jazz Festival. He is currently a keyboardist with artist Marqueal Jordan and the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective.
JOSHUA GRIFFIN (Bass Guitar, Music Programmer, Playback Engineer) is a multi-instrumentalist, music producer/director, and a mixing and mastering engineer based in Chicago. Josh found his love for music at the age of six when his parents bought his first bass guitar. He’s recorded with artists in the US and abroad, producing, touring, teaching, and inspiring new and upcoming artists. Joshua combined his accreditation, skill, and talent to launch Griffin Music Group LLC, a production company dedicated to assisting recording artists (independent and signed) in songwriting, song arranging, music production, mixing, and mastering.
LEONARD MADDOX JR. (Drums) was born in Chicago, and is the son of Julia and the late Leonard Maddox, Sr. He was the lead drummer for Steppenwolf’s The Christians, and has performed vocals and drums for Fannie: The Life and Music of Fannie Lou Hamer at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. He has also accompanied renowned artists including Gerald Albright, Kurt Whalum, K-Pop sensation TXT BigHit, and Grammy Award-winning Darius Brooks & The Tommies, among others.
Fact Sheet / The Gospel at Colonus
Title: The Gospel at Colonus
Adaptation and Original Lyrics: Lee Breuer
Adapted Lyrics: Lee Breuer and Bob Telson
Music: Bob Telson
Directed by: Mark J.P. Hood and Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director Charles Newell, with Associate Director TaRon Patton
Featuring: Kelvin Roston Jr. (Oedipus); Aeriel Williams (Antigone); Timothy Edward Kane (Creon); Ariana Burks (Ismene); Mark Spates Smith (Theseus); Kai A. Ealy (Polyneices); Shari Addison (Choragos, Soloist); Eric A. Lewis (Choragos); Juwon Tyrel Perry(The Friend, Chorus); Jessica Brooke Seals (Evangelist, Chorus); Jerica Exum (Chorus); Shantina Lynet’ (Chorus); Isaac Ray (Chorus); Eva Ruwé (Chorus); and Cherise Thomas (Chorus).
Music: Mark J.P. Hood (Director, Music Director); Mahmoud Khan (Associate Music Director, Conductor, Keyboard, Organist); Joshua Griffin (Bass Guitar, Music Programmer, Playback Engineer); Amr Fahmy (Keyboard); Oscar Brown, Jr. (Lead Guitar); and Leonard Maddox Jr. (Drums).
Creatives: John Culbert (Scenic Design); Raquel Adorno (Costume Design); Keith Parham (Lighting Design); Sarah Ramos (Sound Design); Cristin Carole (Movement Design); Wenke (Coco) Huang (Production Dramaturg); Gabrielle Randle-Bent (Oedipus Trilogy Dramaturg); Becca McCracken (Casting); Kate Ocker (Production Stage Manager); and Natalie Cohen (Assistant Stage Manager).
Dates:
Previews: May 12 – 19, 2023
Press Opening: May 20, 2023 at 7:30pm
Regular Run: May 21 – June 11, 2023
Schedule:
Wed/Thurs/Fri: 7:30 p.m.
Sat/Sun: 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Accessible Performances:
Audio description on June 10, 2023 at 2:00pm/Touch Tour at 12:30pm
Open captioning on June 11, 2023 at 2:00pm
ASL interpretation on June 11, 2023 at 7:30pm
Location: Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave.
Tickets: $28.50-$66 previews, $40.50-$82 regular run
Student, group, and military discounts available
Box Office: Located at 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago; (773) 753-4472 or www.CourtTheatre.org.
Court Theatre is the Tony Award-winning classic theatre of the University of Chicago.