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For the past three Januaries, a locally grown musical called
"And the Dream Goes On!" has drawn big audiences during a cold, wet month that isn't known for theater attendance.
Last March, several artists associated with that show, including writer/director Lisa Tarrer Lacy, composer Charles Cooper,
choreographer Wanel Thomas and actor William Miller, launched a new show, Evangelize . And they staged it in just about the
last place you'd expect to find a new black gospel musical: Roseville. The show drew enthusiastic comments from those
who saw it, but many Sacramentans didn't make the trip.
Evangelize is back, this time at a church in Midtown
Sacramento, in what amounts to a semi-staged concert version. Modern sanctuaries have lighting and sound systems that rival
those in theaters, and cloth-covered seats like the Mondavi Center.
Cooper's score, on second hearing, feels
like a familiar friend. Songs range from the lyrical "I Had a Vision Last Night"; and the dramatic "Time Has
Passed"; to the toe-tapping gospel finale. The man has the right stuff; this score is better than some recent offerings
on the Broadway Series. Cooper's working familiar genres--blues, hip-hop and gospel--but his songs radiate natural appeal
and lodge in your memory.
Lacy's book is a zesty, humane comedy, set in a socially conservative black church
where only men preach. Righteous Sister Angela wants to change that; the humor springs from the subterfuge as the hardliners
try to stop her. There are some tart verbal exchanges and spontaneous-sounding zingers. (Listen for the line about "Little
Tupac.")
This is an appealing, good-natured community show with several good performances: the dapper Miller
as Pastor John, confident Cynthia Douglas as Sister Angela and glowering Elaine Lenae Douglas as Sister Amorala. The five-piece
band plays well, and the big choral numbers generate genuine uplift.
SACRAMENTO NEWS & REVIEW
By Jeff
Hudson
October 19, 2006
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…Cooper, writes excellent gospel tunes, but as he shows here,
he's equally adept at jazz, blues and pop music. "Magnify the Lord," "I Had a Vision Last Night,"
"I Long To Serve You" and "I'm Tired of Being Alone" are all excellent… His songs - particularly
when they are performed by the outstanding William Miller and Dana Irene Pope - are impressive contributions to a very entertaining
production…
Lacy uses names to immediately connote character personalities: There is a womanizing Deacon
Lechers, a gluttonous Deacon Gorge, a thieving Deacon Cash and a Deacon Goodman, who finally decides to do the right thing.
Each actor does well by his assignment. As Sister Hope Trulee, Ifamodupe Edington is a standout. Brash, irreverent and funny
- really funny - she gives the play a spark every time it needs it. She is not just a friend to Sister Angela, she's a
friend to the audience, bringing recognizable reactions and unexpected candor to the proceedings.
SACRAMENTO BEE
REVIEW *** (3 STARS)
by Jim Carnes, staff writer
Published 2:15 AM PST - Tuesday, Mar. 28, 2006
...It’s a good-natured, audience-friendly musical, with a score by the resourceful Cooper, who is a treasure. It’s
also a comedy with a message, set in a Baptist church where the deacons and pastor all are male, but Sister Angela (attractive
Dana Pope, in a heads-up performance) is called to speak the Word.
Between its many upbeat songs, Evangelize is
actually a battle of the sexes. It smiles on human foibles and the antics of several comically portrayed schemers, both male
and female. Miller, who has a wonderful voice, belts out two powerful songs and gives a good short sermon. And while it’s
undeniably message-driven, Evangelize is not a pushy piece. There’s good comic dialogue in black vernacular and a cute
subplot involving young romance.
SACRAMENTO NEWS & REVIEW
By Jeff Hudson, Theater Critic
Published
March 30, 2006
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