Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story Begins Rehearsals at Arena Stage

The biomusical opens in Washington, D.C., this summer.

June 28, 2016

Juan and Deborah Joy Winans costar as BeBe and CeCe Winans in Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story. — Juan and Deborah Joy Winans costar as BeBe and CeCe Winans in *Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story*.
(courtesy of Arena Stage)

Last week, Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story celebrated its first day of rehearsal at Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage where the new musical, celebrating the musical legacy of the Winans family, continues its world-premiere coproduction with the Alliance Theatre.

Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, the production features original songs and Winans family hits, with a book by Randolph-Wright and Winans. Leading the cast as BeBe and CeCe Winans are the pair's real-life nephew and niece Juan Winans and Deborah Joy Winans.

Co-writers Charles Randolph-Wright (director) and BeBe Winans (music and lyrics) pose for a photo at the first Arena Stage rehearsal.
(courtesy of Arena Stage)

The company also features Chaz Pofahl as Jim Bakker, Kirsten Wyatt as Tammy Faye Bakker, Kiandra Richardson as Whitney Houston, Nita Whitaker as Mom Winans, Milton Craig Nealy as Pop Winans, Dyllon Burnside as Michael Winans and Howard, Desmond Sean Ellington as Carvin Winans and Alvin, Brad Raymond as Ronald Winans, Michael Stiggers as Marvin Winans, Nick Morrett as Bob, Alison Whitehurst as Penny, Kurt Boehm as Jimmy Ray, and Gracie Jones in the ensemble.