Tis the season for new musicals! The Greene Space announced its newest addition to this holiday season: the premiere of The Soul Now Sings, a new Christmas musical directed and composed by award-winning recording artist Damien Sneed, with libretto by author Karen Chilton.
The Soul Now Sings tells the story of “world-weary New Yorkers” and, as they trudge through a cold December night, the holiday spirit seems far away. But a few chance encounters inspire tender reminiscences and an unexpected spiritual journey begins.
This is a story of hope and transformation with a stellar cast of singers and musicians performing Sneed’s original arrangements of “Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child,” “Fix Me Jesus,” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” and other holiday classics, as well as a powerful rendition of “Rejoice Greatly” from Handel’s Messiah.”
The stellar cast and musicians include Martin Bakari, Chenee Campbell, Latice Crawford, Ayana George, Kaleb Hopkins, Anitra McKinney, Lynette Rhett McNeil, Tiffany Stevenson, Brandie Sutton, Matia Washington, Justin Cunningham (bass); Jammal Graham (keys); Keyon Harrold (trumpet); Patrice Jackson-Tilghman (cello); Segdrick Marsh (drums); Stephanie Matthews (violin); Stacy Dillard (sax); and Damien Sneed (piano).
Damien Sneed (director and composer) is a multi-genre recording artist, pianist, organist, conductor, composer, producer, arranger, vocal coach, professor, and arts educator. He is a 2014 recipient of the prestigious Sphinx Medal of Excellence honor, presented annually to emerging Black and Latino leaders in classical music. In May 2015, he was tapped by Tony Award winner George Faison as the musical director and conductor for the City Parks Foundation’s Central Park’s Summer Stage production of “The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance & Music.” The production included Phylicia Rashad, André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Ebony Jo-Ann.
Karen Chilton (librettist) is a New York-based actor and writer whose work has been seen on film, television and off-Broadway. Ms. Chilton is the author of the critically-acclaimed biography Hazel Scott: The Pioneering Journey of a Jazz Pianist from Cafe Society to Hollywood to HUAC and co-author of I Wish You Love, the jazz memoir of legendary vocalist, Gloria Lynne. Her dramatic works for the stage include a five-character drama, Convergence, winner of the New Professional Theatre Writers Festival. Saying Grace, a solo performance piece directed by director/choreographer Ken Roberson (Avenue Q), was performed in the 2003 Women of Color Theater Festival at New York’s landmark theater, Henry Street Settlement. Other works-in-progress include “Darling of Cafe Society,” the film adaptation of the Hazel Scott biography.
All performances are 75 minutes with no intermission and general admission seating. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here. The production only has 3 performances on December 4th at 7pm and December 5th at 2pm and 7pm. So get tickets while you still can and get in the Christmas spirit. Who knows? You might find yourself inspired.
