The double-edged sword of righteousness is illuminated in the Chattanooga Theatre Centre's production of "The Amen Corner," which opens Friday, Dec. 6, in the CTC's Circle Theatre.
African-American writer James Baldwin brings all the fervor of the storefront churches of his childhood to this work, along with an unwavering awareness of the price those churches exacted from their worshipers.
Sister Margaret Alexander, a pastor in 1960s Harlem, has moved her congregation for years with a mixture of personal charisma and ferocious piety. The single mother has lived a public life of devotion to her Lord. But when her estranged husband shows up on her doorstep deathly ill, she is in danger of losing her standing in the church and the son she has tried to keep on the godly path.
While Margaret led everyone to believe that her husband abandoned her with their son years ago, it was Margaret who left him and pursued a religious life. This information precipitates confrontations between Margaret, her husband, her son and the elders of her congregation regarding what they perceive as the hypocritical nature of her religious convictions.
If you go
* What: “The Amen Corner”* Where: Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St.* When: 8 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21; 7 p.m. Dec. 12, 19; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 15, 22* Admission: $23-$30* For more information: http://theatrecentre.com/
What follows on that Christmas is an unforgettable journey of atonement and redemption.
Filled with gospel music, "The Amen Corner" is a play about faith and family, the gulf between black men and black women and black fathers and black sons.
Making her CTC debut as Margaret is Marsha Mills. Carlos Alvalrez Davis portrays her husband, Luke, and Jeremiah Taylor is their son, David.
Others appearing in featured roles include LaShonda Bryant, Brandon Hines, Travis Johnson, Roderick King, Teara King, LaKeysha Nolan, Patricia Pruett-Starks, Cel Reid, Charde Terry and Cortney Warner.
Members of the congregation include Nathalie Alcime, Jessica Desmond-Bennett, Joclyn Foster and Sherri Winston. The children's ensemble includes Aniya Niccole Bryant, Nehemiah Bryant, Jacobi Carter, Nadia Merrell, Jada Mills and Kennedi Morton.
"The Amen Corner" is directed by Ricardo C. Morris, with musical direction by Trent Williams, costumes by Tinita Coulter, lighting by Julius JanMichael Johnson, and scene design by Tom Hansen.
For more information: 423-267-8534.