The Gospel at Colonus
Вставка
- Опубліковано 21 кві 2016
- By Lee Breuer and Bob Telson
1985 production at the American Musical Theatre Festival, Philadelphia
The performers include Morgan Freeman as The Messenger, Carl Lumbly as Theseus, Jevetta Steele as Ismene, and Robert Earl Jones as Creon. The Soul Stirrers (credited collectively) and the Institutional Radio Choir assume roles as citizens of Colonus.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gos...
Still watching this play in 2023 one of the best Broadway shows ever made speaking of black excellent my mother loved it.
Just discovered this and this should be played in school to our people
In 1986 I stumbled on this play in Los Angeles. I was a junior Officer in the Marine Corps flying out of El Toro. I had gotten up in the early morning and drove to Big Bear to go skiing . I drove back near noon and went to the beach in Santa Monica. After an afternoon on the beach I drove through LA with no destination until a spotted a marquee that read The Gospel at Colonus. I thought it was simply a gospel show. This production, with this cast, set the end of the most perfect day in my life. I am 62 now . My heart is still filled with this production. Thank you..
Wonderful and thank you sir for your your service. I was privileged to attend that run in LA too, with my mother. It has never left the place in my heart.
I had the great privilege of seeing this exact cast of the
Gospel at Colonus on Broadway New York City in 1988 . My wife my two sisters share this amazing memory of seeing the most Powerful play we’ve ever seen. They did 3 encores for us because we the audience went insane with such gratitude for what we just saw.
In all my life Iv never heard such astounding voices. It was a great gift of the creator to bring this masterpiece of such amazing talent together. and for Morgan Freeman taking us through it till the very end !
While we were standby in Front
Of the theater I turned and saw Morgan Freeman walking towards me it was surreal I reached out and shook his hand and said
Do it up ! and he held my Hands in his and looked into my eyes and he said -- I will smiled and walked into the theater !!
I’ll never forget that as
long as I live!
My dad song with the blind boys on this production rip dad joe watson
I saw this on PBS back in 1984. when it was next to impossible to record something on the fly. I have longed to see it again for decades.
I watch this now to see my grandmoms face i miss her so much.
Which one is your grandmother?
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@@gregoryomarosborne2543
I like the original film, not the one you posted
Which one was your grandparents
@@audreykincy2090
Don't waste your time asking. I asked her the same question over 3 months ago and she still hasn't said anything.
I was the musical director of this show in Dallas, TX for a World-Renowned Actress' Musical Theatre. I loved this show.
worked sound on this show at Brooklyn Academy of Music in 1983. It is one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The Steele Family Singers are truly wonderful.
Richard Witt good for you
Wow. What a great experience that must have been. I saw it there, then in LA, then on Broadway. JD, Jevetta, et al are gifts from heaven.
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Richard Witt
That means you saw this production before it aired on PBS, "Great Performances."
@@alanmorris7669 yes - as I said: I worked on the show in winter of 1983. It was magical!
I never imagined I’d find Greek tragedy set to soul music. Great story and live performance!
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Classic I never get tired of watching this marvelous body of redemptive work from a child at until now as 46 year old man. Peace and kingdom blessings to the entire cast ❣️
One of the most glorious theatrical undertakings I’ve ever seen. Just perfect.
This is easily my favorite theatrical production of all time, for so many reasons, on so many levels. Robert Meagher introduced me to it in 2003 and I am forever grateful.
One of the greatest musical plays of ALL TIME!!!!! ALLLLLLLL TIMMMEEEE
I saw this gospel musical in 1985 when it first aired on TV. It was featured on PBS "Great Performances."
I am amazed that a white composer had such deep appreciation and love for our Africana traditions that he cast an all-black ensemble❤
This video helped me establish my style as an organist!! Butch Heyward was my teacher and he doesn't even know it!!
Bob Telson, who wrote the music, credits him with teaching him a gospel style! He was his teacher too but he knew it). Telson is on piano, you can see him in the video.
RIP my brother Minister Anthony Tucker.
@@johnathanstowe85 My condolences. www.journalnow.com/news/local/friends-remember-winston-salem-man-who-died-in-car-crash/article_5cd10a85-6847-54ba-8783-b92d56f69c7f.html
@@johnathanstowe85
Did Anthony Tucker pass away?
Recorded this one back in the 80’s on vhs and played it until it no longer worked. I thought of the last song and came on UA-cam to see if it possibly was uploaded. And to my amazement the entire play is here. Thank you for sharing!!! This was one of my favorites. Morgan Freeman took you to “chuch”.
Still watching in 2019😋
ReelVanLife Living I got the soundtrack
Clarence Fountain, who plays Oedipus, was the lead singer of the group, The Blind Boys of Alabama.
Duh
@@deecee5623 No need to be snide. I didn't know this. I didn't even know they were really blind.
Best musical ever !!✨ Saw it live years ago - truly an amazing experience to see it live with an audience completely wrapped up with the performance.
This was the first time I ever saw Morgan Friedman and
Others that went on to be Stars in televisions and movies
Tupac referenced this as one of his greatest creative inspirations rolling stone interview with Chuck Phillips in 1993. Wow. Highly articulated humanity.
I watch this again at least twice a year. An extraordinary production.
Basically how churchy folk explain Greek tragedy. Love this
I was brought here because a clip of "Do Not Go On" song went viral and I decided to check this out within context and I'm glad that I discovered this. Loved it
REMEMBER IT LIKE YESTERDAY...TEARS ARE STILL DRIPPING...
This is a Sophocles's tragedy, Oedipus at Colonus but the spirit moves all over that place I enjoyed it as a child and I still love it
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I don’t know how it happened but it became tradition in my family to watch this every Christmas. Jevetta Steele’s voice! The whole cast!
This is a true tragedy, one of its kind 😢..deeper than deep!!! I was blessed to view this Greek play over 32 years ago with my family ❤❤❤
I saw this originally on PBS when it aired in the 80s. I had it on VHS which of course I can't find. Love, love , love the music. Awesome production.
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Me too. I remember it aired in 1985 on PBS, "Great Performances." During the commercial break, they announced it would be coming on next. I hurried and put a VHS in my VCR and taped the whole show. I loaned it to a friend but I never got it back, so I bought a copy of it on DVD.
I remember my grandmother taping this on beta when it came on PBS and I watched it all the time. Really good play
lmao we probably taped it the same time does anyone even still watch PBS...a lost good publicized channel
I don't my antenna doesn't really pick up anything I got rid of cable too...but I do catch somethings on their UA-cam channel
@@cyyrious Parents still trust PBS for its kid shows, "Downton Abbey" was a huge hit for the network, and those of us 50 and up are more likely to find music that we like on public TV than we are anywhere else on TV, and without the clutter of the internet.
Wow. that's something from the old days... Betamax.
So many more plays should've been given this treatment. Schools should promote this and BET, PBS , and the OWNetwork should air it yearly. Start a NEW tradition❗
Saw this twice - once on Broadway and once in DC - wept each time.
"Numberless are the Wonders" may be the best song ever written.
"Never Drive You Away" would probably be my choice for the greatest number from this show.
Saw it at Carnegie Hall, myself, in the early or mid-90's, with Robert Earl Jones playing, I think, the minister. I brought a friend who didn't care for gospel music and even he got into it.
I completely agree and I love your hair.
Thanks!
THIS is my most favorite performance of all! 💚♥️💚♥️👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
This deserves recognition as a Truly American Masterpiece. A Classic. Saw the original PBS Great Performances broadcast in 84, videotaped it on VHS the next time they reran it, wore that tape out. Saw the original cast live performance on tour in San Francisco in the early 90s , was thrilled to see it available on DVD and here on YT. It's just as moving as it was 40 years ago, and seeing the reknown talents no longer with us moves me to tesrs as much as the stellar performances.
I saw this productions many years ago at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis . It always stands out as one of the most memorable theater experience of my lifetime. A combination of passion, music and a very real combination of modern American Music with very strong roots in African American Slavery music that has withstood the ages of time.
I also saw this amazing work at the Guthrie. The Steele family are a treasure. I seem to remember Lee Breuer speaking to the audience, but am not sure if that happened at this show or if I heard him at one of the other shows that Mabou Mines did when they were at the Walker/Guthrie. What incredible theater!
I never get tired of seeing this and hearing the glorious voices.
Watching this again because it’s just that good.
I watched this on PBS when it came out in the 70's. Clarence Fountain & the Blind Boys of Alabama, The Original Soul Stirrers, Morgan Freeman, OMG this was the best cast of singers and actors!!!!
The 80s.
Every time I see this my mind goes back to 1985, sitting in my living room with my sons watching this. At that time I never knew that I would come into personal contact with some of the stars of this production, through my radio ministry.
If I had money I'd pay everyone to reprise their roles live on stage for me. Sadly I never saw this most cherished play in person.
I feel the same way can we get together and do just that they are doing it here in Philadelphia and I am sure that they wont be able to touch this 1985 version however I intend to see it.
This September (2018) they are reprising it at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park.....with many of this original cast!!!! Get thee to NYC!!!
Patricia Peoples, www.publictheater.org/Public-Theater-Season/The-Gospel-At-Colonus/ It's back on stage!! :) This week
I had a chance to see it. It was amazing. I had a chance to know Clarence Fountain(the lead character) Sam Butler both amazing Artists.
I remember the gospel at colonus on DVD and on VHS and also on Spotify on my phone practicing the songs from the gospel at colonus
Such beauty in song from the most tragic tale ever spun by the Greeks.
If you have the Blues Gospel is the cure!
Omgosh this is pure magic...thank you SO much for making this available!!!
Yes!!!
I have a vinyl of the original recording. One of the few vinyls I kept when transitioning to CDs. That is how much I treasure this music. Truly transcendent. Would love to see it performed in New Orleans.
I had the great good fortune of seeing this same cast at the Doolittle theater in Los Angeles. My bravos were only out numbered by my tears. This is a true definition of great theater!!!!!!!!
I remember watching this program about forty years ago watch it twice in Duluth very moving
Ineffable and everlasting.
I saw the show at BAM IN Brooklyn when it opened and it was amazing. I till can be brought to tears hearing it today 😢
I had the album and played it often!
Oh mercy me. What a wonderful treasure you have shared with us! Thank you so much! I'm going to sit with my Mom this Mother's day and watch this with her. She is in the late stage of Alzheimer's disease. We watched this as a family years ago and it always made her light up. I hope this will trigger a memory and she reacts to it. At this stage in Alzheimer's, every moment matters especially moments that cause her to light up. Thanks again.
God bless you and your mom I love this musical too
Praying it stirs a memory in her. 🙏🏽❤️
I pray.
Zealand+1m
🙏🏽💜
I watched this ALL THROUGHOIT my childhood. I know EVERY song, facial expression, scene, and the HOLY GHOST happens to STILL HIT in the very same way! Myyyyyyy God, what memories, what an anointing on these lives! What an impact!
Just thought to google this. So glad I can watch it again after many years. I had this recorded on V HS and lost it through a tornado. One of my most favorite. 😊
Love this and the music
Legendary!!!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Unforgettable So glad I found this again such a classic.
Seen some of the songs on UA-cam but this is the first time I've seen the entire production. The music and the singers, OMG! Don't even get me started on the brilliance of Morgan Freeman!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful....................
BEAUTIFULL!! LOVELY!! JUST AS I REMEMBERED IT! SAW IT WHEN IT WAS FIRST AIRED ON PBS!!! OUTSTANDING!!! IT PLAYED IN OAKLAND! BY THAT TIME ROSCOE LEE BROWNE TOOK MORGAN'S PLACE!
I lost my VHS copy and have been wondering all these years if I'd ever see this play again. I saw it at The Brooklyn Academy of Music and it was phenomenal! I still remember every song...I wish they would do this again.
they are doing it again here in philly and I am definately going to see it but nothing can touch the origional
The Public Theatre in NYC is performing it NOW in Central Park.
katherine Valentine I've seen it live now 5 times... BAM, Phila, Bway, the Apollo and most recently this week in Central Park.. JD Steele still in the production and acts as if its 35 years ago. Sam Butler still sounds great, but now is bald. Alas, Clarence is gone, but the Messenger - the Preacher - is played by the real-life Preacher who worked with Morgan and the cast. But yes, there was nothing like seeing this the first time, with the original cast... all in this video.
I saw this, as it was broadcasted on PBS. It meant something then. But in these troubling times, it takes on a new and deeper meaning with a new understanding. Love for one another is becoming much more elusive. This production is a reminder of the need to return to this simple concept.
I don't know why, but I watch this daily!
Beautiful voices Jevetta Steele and her siblings.,Awesome singers🌷🌷🌷
Saw it when it first came out. Must have seen it 10 ten times!!
Thank you for this video. My uncle played in the ensemble - John Hagen on sax, when he was only 35!
I been looking for this for years im so happy to find it 🙌 ☺ 😌 🤗
John Darneils favorite thing of all time.
I had to come see it and seek sanctuary.
Just excellence! Black Excellence!! This is what made me want to a public speaker or actor!
James earl Jones is one of my favorite actors of all time and his father Robert earl Jones
I love Ismenes song at 18:08. What a beautiful adaptation of scene 3 in the original play!!
Love you Grandmom. Selene A. Jones ❤👼
Like so many others, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for posting this. I treasure my DVD copy of this performance (given to me by the amazing bass player, Lincoln Schleiffer), but you've made it possible for me to share this precious moment far and wide. Thank you thank you thank you!
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Oedipus: Damned... Damned... Damned...
(Googling "What happened on March 24, 1988" brought me here: the opening day of this musical.)
One of my favorite performances of all time. Brilliantly creative concept, brilliantly realized. Simply spectacular yet deep and nuanced performances. I watch it every few years, and pick my jaw up off the floor every time. Lord God it is good. Thank you and bless you for posting it.
THEY SHOULD DEFINITELY REVIVE THIS!!!!
A real GEM, love this!!!!
This fills me with joy, awe and wonder!!
So glad to find this. Saw the play in Minneapolis a long time ago. Always loved watching the Steeles perform around town.
Saw this there times at the Guthrie inMinneapolis. Loved it..
LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!
So much soul in this.
I saw this live in Philly over Annenberg on Penn’s campus. It was IMPRESSIVE. I remember Carl Lumbly, so distinctly handsome, and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama.
YES!!!!!!!! A classic piece!!!!
Before there was #HamiltonMusical, there was #TheGospelatColonus. Briiliant.
A powerful story of redemption and love!
amy krakow Truth
This was an all around grand production! Amazing! Simply amazing!
My favorite play ever
Love this👏😄👏
My friends and I saw this live in Los Angeles! I lost an earring that night! Thank you for sharing this
I remember James earl Jones was my favorite actor playing as mufasa in the lion king in 1994
Here's one of those theatre pieces I only know from a few sentences here in there when people write about what was going on in the wider world I [as a young theatre major with no money, LOL] couldn't afford to go and encounter in person.
So to finally hear and feel and experience this is a marvel. Thank you so much for posting this.
Thank you! Just now discovered this on UA-cam although I’ve been listening to the music for decades. I first saw it live in Atlanta in the 80s an amazing tour de force of storytelling, drama, musicianship and composition. The performances are truly amazing and beyond that which words can express.💛🌞🎭
I grew up with this I know every word to every song still love it till this day it takes me to a wonderful place when I'm feeling down thank you for posting this
36:50 Robert Earl Jones (father of James Earl Jones) as Creon.
I was in that version.
Antigone’s wail gets me. Every single time.
This is truly a keep sake, my whole family still hold watch nights just to see this musical gospel production, at one time I looked all over for it and couldn't find it no where but thank goodness I finally got a DVD sent to me and I'm so glad it's now posted on UA-cam. I wish they remake a knew version of this someday. Thanks so much for making it available for many 2 see..
A true soprano!
Morgan Freeman at his absolute best
Excellent play when it came to Broadway in the 1980's.
Words cannot express the joy I have gotten from this production since 1985. I sing and would love to be a part of a reproduction. Brilliant performance by all involved. I think I have viewed more than 100 times over the years since it appeared on PBS. I bought many copies for family and friends.
I would love to see a local production of this, featuring our regional gospel choir made up of the choirs of the local churches. If memory serves, I gave cassette tape copies of this and Aretha Franklin's live Amazing Grace album to the director of one of the local church's gospel choir.
Wikipedia notes that this has been done, first in Malvern, PA in 1995 and again in Coatesville, PA in 2015 and again in 2018 (www.broadstreetreview.com/theater/coatesville-cultural-society-presents-the-gospel-at-colonus#). Hopefully, other communities, regional theaters and churches can reach out to those folks and put on their own local productions.
Saw it in LA.Transcends time and cultures.