EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND THROUGH JUNE 18
The Gospel at Colonus
Adaptation and Original Lyrics by Lee Breuer
Adapted Lyrics by Lee Breuer and Bob Telson
Music by Bob Telson
Directed by Mark J.P. Hood and Charles Newell
with Associate Director TaRon Patton
May 12, 2023 — Jun 18, 2023
★★★★ “A gorgeously produced, deeply inclusive and richly sung staging…Court has put up something with an expansive vision and a directorial approach that respects what Telson and Breuer achieved but gently improves upon it for the current moment. It’s a South Side rebirth for The Gospel at Colonus, and thank whatever God you worship for that. May it live on.” – Chicago Tribune
“It was the first time I had to force myself to stay in my seat during a review and not start dancing and singing at a play…Dynamic singing in flawless harmony and impeccable acting provide 85 minutes of hallelujah joy — a soulful Greek chorus audience[s] will never forget.” – Let’s Play Theatrical Reviews, Highly Recommended
Soulful and stirring, this one-of-a-kind theatrical event breathes new life into the Oedipus myth with a score of powerful gospel music. A bold collaboration from an extraordinary team led by Mark J.P. Hood and Charles Newell, The Gospel at Colonus builds upon the strengths and experiences of its artists to bring this redemptive musical celebration to life on Chicago’s South Side.
Digital ProgramSponsored by ![]() | Sponsored by Gustavo Bamberger and Martha Van Haitsma | Sponsored by David J. and Marilyn Fatt Vitale | This project is supported in part by ![]() |
Based on an adaptation of Sophocles’ Oedipus at Colonus in the version by Robert Fitzgerald and incorporating passages from both Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and Antigone in the versions by Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald, which are published as The Oedipus Cycle of Sophocles, a Harvest/HBJ Book, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc.
Photo of Jessica Brooke Seals, Ariana Burks, Cherise Thomas, Kelvin Roston Jr., Mark Spates Smith, Aeriel Williams, Kai A. Ealy, Juwon Tyrel Perry, and Shari Addison by Michael Brosilow.
Artistic Team
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Adaptation, Original Lyrics, Adapted Lyrics— Lee Breuer
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Music, Adapted Lyrics— Bob Telson
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Director, Music Director— Mark J.P. Hood
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Director— Charles Newell
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Associate Director— TaRon Patton
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Assistant Director— Hailey Brunson
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Scenic Designer— John Culbert
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Costume Designer— Raquel Adorno
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Lighting Designer— Keith Parham
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Sound Designer— Sarah Ramos
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Movement Designer— Cristin Carole
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Production Dramaturg— Wenke (Coco) Huang
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Oedipus Trilogy Dramaturg— Gabrielle Randle-Bent
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Casting— Becca McCracken, CSA
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Stage Manager— Kate Ocker
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Assistant Stage Manager— Natalie Cohen
Cast
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Oedipus— Kelvin Roston Jr.
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Creon— Timothy Edward Kane
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Antigone— Aeriel Williams
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Polyneices— Kai A. Ealy
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Ismene— Ariana Burks
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Theseus— Mark Spates Smith
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Choragos, Soloist— Shari Addison
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Choragos— Eric A. Lewis
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The Friend, Chorus— Juwon Tyrel Perry
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Evangelist, Chorus— Jessica Brooke Seals
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Chorus, Vocal Supervisor— Cherise Thomas
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Chorus— Jerica Exum
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Chorus— Shantina Lynet'
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Chorus— Isaac Ray
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Chorus— Eva Ruwé
Musicians
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Associate Music Director, Conductor, Keyboard, Organist— Mahmoud Khan
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Bass Guitar, Music Programmer, Playback Engineer— Joshua Griffin
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Lead Guitar— Oscar Brown, Jr.
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Keyboard— Amr Fahmy
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Drums— Leonard Maddox Jr.
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