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In between monologues and song and dialogue and song, Tom Stoltz's "Mahalia! A Gospel Musical" takes a non-aggressive look into the historical and professional accomplishments and socio-economic realities of Mahalia Jackson, Queen of Gospel music.
The production was recently incarnated at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre where it chronicled Jackson's life and gospel career as a 45-year succinct history lesson.
In non-climactic tones and scenes, Danielle Edinburgh Wilson, vocal performance major at Xavier University of Louisiana and the play's title character, paralleled Jackson's songs and life with a hearty voice and gregarious smile.
From Jackson's humble rise from the church choir stand to center stage at a sold-out Carnegie Hall, Wilson attempted to translate details of Jackson's life on stage, including Jackson's bold move from Jim Crow New Orleans in 1927 to Chicago for better education and opportunities, her daring decision to pursue a gospel career rather than domestic work, and Jackson's pioneering success at infiltrating commercial and segregated arenas as a prosperous, untrained gospel phenomenon.
Wilson's renditions of songs like "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho" and How I Got Over resonated with audience members who took advantage of opportunities to join in the singing, while songs like "I'm on My Way to Canaan Land" and "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" were more melancholic and foreshadowed Jackson's death in 1972 outside of Chicago.
The overall production focused more on Jackson's external contributions in light of the cultural settings in which they were made, while swift thematic transitions throughout the nearly three-hour production disallowed intrinsic revelations about Jackson's persona.
Midway through the first of two acts, however, Wilson made a pertinent musical confession when she sang, "I'm going to live the life I sing about in my songs." That one verse most effectively conveyed Jackson's message as a gospel artist and legend as well as "Mahalia's artistic significance.
"Mahalia!" was a production of the Jefferson Performing Arts Society and was presented by Chase Bank.
Supporting cast members Vickie R. Thomas and Jay V. Hall played multiple roles throughout the production, portraying influential figures in Jackson's life and evoking comedic relief throughout.
New Orleans native, educator, actor and entrepreneur Troy R. Poplous directed the production. Albinas Prizgintas, Director of Musical Ministries for Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans, served as musical director.
This article was originally published in the February 23, 2009 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper |
