Progressive Theater Streams A Righteous Gospel

Progressive Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director, Gregory Omar Osborne, is slated to stream THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS December, 2020, via ShowTix4U.com. Producing shows virtually is the new wave, but it seems to be missing the one thing we can’t get through the zoom productions, connection. Connection is not just about touch ,it’s about the intangible energies transferred from actor to actor. Progressive Theater made the decision to film THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS because, “to be progressive is to not follow the norm…” says Osborne.

Progressive Theater’s director grabs inspiration from Evangelists and Kanye West Sunday Service. He noted that the original production made its debut during the AIDS epidemic and he saw the parralels in the times we are currently in. Osborne says, “There is no better time than now for this story to be told. It’s a story of redemption and liberation. With COVID-19 roaming the world like a thief in the night, taking jobs and lives, you must ‘live where you can, be happy as you can…’ cause we may not be here tomorrow.” He quotes the Original Lyrics by Lee Breuer, Adapted Lyrics by Bob Telson and Lee Breuer.

Manny Milfort as Singer Oedipus | Still Photography by @IZDIGO

THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS was produced on Broadway, 1988 by Dodger Productions, Liza Lorwin, Louis Busch Hager, Playhouse Square Center and Fifth Avenue Productions; Executive Producers Michael David, Edward Strong and Sherman Warner. Originally Produced by the Brooklyn Academy of Music Next Wave Festival, Harvey Lichtenstein, Executive Producer, Joseph V. Melillo, Producer, in association with Liza Lorwin and Walker Art Center. THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS is 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.

The Gospel At Colonus will star Daryl Stewart (Preacher Oedipus), Manny Milfort (Singer Oedipus), Kimberly Milan (Evangelist Antigone), Shari Gill (Singer Ismene), Sterling Spralls (Pastor Theseus), Alcides Costa (Testifier Polyneices), Arnold Harper II (Choragos), Elvie Ellis (Balladeer), Kirk Jasen Lambert (Deacon Creon), David Lamarr (Friend) Angela Birchett (Soloist). Rounding out the cast are Jada Meusa, Jordan Owens, Damien Smith, Justin Paul Daniels, Dana P Hawkins, Pamoja Days, Ibn Days, Brandon Webber, and Zenni Corbin.

Progressive Theater allows the sharing of theater magic with many people in neighbouring communities that don’t have access to theater or live entertainment by urging audience members to purchase extra tickets that are then donated to students from low income families. Through this Progressive Theater is increasing accessibility to the stage, films and theaters that involve misrepresented people and important issues that need to be talked about. The ability to perform or direct culturally and emotionally sensitive theater and films is a very crucial job, because it has the power to garner the emotions and perceptions of the audiences. Through this Progressive Theater can be a catalyst for change in the way people behave in the future and how communities thrive with each other in terms of sensitive topics such as genders, race, and religion. Progressive Theater aims to achieve all of the above with their enlightening work.

To get involved, donate to Progressive Theater, purchase a ticket to The Gospel at Colonus.

Contact Information:

Contact Person Name: Gregory Omar Osborne

Company: Progressive Theater A NJ Nonprofit Corporation

Email: management@progressivetheater.com

Location (City, State, Country): Maplewood, NJ, USA

Website: www.progressivetheater.com