The Gospel at Colonus

★★★★ “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.

Accessible performances:

June 10, 2023 at 2:00pm/Touch Tour at 12:30pm (Touch Tour/Audio Description)
June 11, 2023 at 2:00pm (Open Captioning)
June 11, 2023 at 7:30pm (ASL Interpretation)

Download a PDF of the program here.

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 Joe Mazza.