THE GOSPEL QUEEN Celebrates The African American Experience At Jubilee 5/22-6/21

Jubilee Theatre continues its celebration of the African-American experience with its 2008-2009 season and a new musical conceived by Jubilee Artistic Director Ed Smith. The Gospel Queen, featuring Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, focuses on the life of one of gospel music's greatest sensations, Mahalia Jackson.

Sheran Goodspeed Keyton captures the great Mahalia Jackson's melisma and charismatic performing style while bringing to life the songs that dubbed Jackson "The Queen of Gospel Music." While growing up in Chicago, Jackson absorbed the sounds of blues singers Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, but it was the church to which she pledged her allegiance. In Jackson's own words, "Rock and roll was stolen out of the sanctified church!" This original script deals with Mahalia's deep spiritual motivation and her world travels as she performs two separate concerts in two acts. Stand By Me, Come Sunday, Move On Up a Little Higher, and Precious Lord, Take My Hand are just a few of the gospel songs included in this compilation.

Directed by Ed Smith with music direction by Joe Rogers, The Gospel Queen features beloved local actress Sheran Goodspeed Keyton and thirteen-year-old Jubilee newcomer Catherine Blake. Designers include set design by George Miller, light design by Nikki DeShea Smith, and costume design by Tina Pitts.

The Gospel Queen previews May 21; the show opens May 22; and the show runs May 22 through June 21, 2009. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Post performance talkbacks with the artists and special guests will be held May 28 and June 7. Preview performance tickets are $10; tickets range from $10 to $25 for the run of the production. Tickets can be purchased from the Jubilee Theatre Ticket Office by calling 817-338-4411 Tuesday through Friday between noon and 6 p.m. or online by visiting www.jubileetheatre.org.