Public Theater to Present 35th Anniversary Run of The Gospel at Colonus
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The Public Theater has announced a brief six-performance 35th anniversary revival of The Gospel at Colonus at the Delacorte Theater, September 4-9, to be presented with the Onassis Foundation USA.
A retelling of Sophocles's Oedipus at Colonus, the musical features book, original lyrics, and direction by Lee Breuer and original music, adapted lyrics, and music direction by Bob Telson. The Gospel at Colonus was first presented in 1983 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, earning the Obie Award for Outstanding Musical and becoming a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1985. It eventually moved to Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in 1988 with a cast that included Morgan Freeman and gospel legends the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Soul Stirrers. It earned a Tony Award nomination that year for Best Book of a Musical.
The cast for this limited run will feature Rev. Dr. Earl F. Miller (the Messenger); the Blind Boys of Alabama (Oedipus); the Legendary Soul Stirrers: Willie Rogers, Ben Odom, Gene Stewart (Choragos); Wren T. Brown (Theseus); Greta Oglesby (Antigone); Shari Addison (Ismene); J.D. Steele (choir director); Tina Fabrique (soloist); Jeff Young (soloist); Sam Butler Jr. (balladeer); Jay Caldwell (Creon); Kevin Davis (Polyneices); Carolyn Johnson-White (choir soloist); and Josie Johnson (chorus).
