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WAKING LAZARUS a gospel musical
Synopsis
It's the year 1999 Chicago. Paul, the organist from an evangelical church is outed by Alan, the council leader. His job is threatened, triggering a childhood memory in choir director Jordan who must confront his long-buried past from 1967 to give Paul and himself a second chance.
Cast
LJ 12-18+ Child prodigy, black, tenor/alto
Noah Matthews 20+ LJ’s voice teacher, any ethnicity, tenor
Dad 40+ LJ’s father, day laborer, baritone
Lazarus Jordan 40+ Choir director, black, classically trained, precise, baritone, can double as Dad
Maggie 50+ Evangelical choir member, any ethnicity, alto
Barbara Stevens 30+ Evangelical choir member,white, conservative, soprano
Alan Stevens 30+ Barbara's husband, white, evangelical choir member, council chair, intense, tenor
Tex Jameson 30+ Evangelical choir member, wry humor, any ethnicity, wears a Stetson, baritone
Paul Kinder 20+ Church organist, music geek, any ethnicity, closeted, can double as Noah Matthews, tenor
Sister Wilkins 30+ Gospel choir director, black, ages 30 years by end of play, can double as Maggie, alto
Callie 20+ gospel choir member, black, angel with a foul mouth, soprano
Brother James 30+ Gospel pianist, black, ages 30 years by end of play, baritenor
Gregory Rendel 20+ Paul's boyfriend, any ethnicity, sharp wit, tenor
WAKING LAZARUS Music
All music and lyrics by Curtis Edwin Powell except where noted.
OVERTURE LOOK WAY BEYOND THE BLUE (arr. Curtis Edwin Powell)
YOU DON'T HAVE A CORNER ON THE LORD
GOD MUST WANT ME OUT/GOD BLESS THE BASTARD
Production Notes
WAKING LAZARUS is the story of two different Chicago's, South and North, 1967 and 1999, black gospel and white evangelical. It was produced by Prologue Theatre in Chicago's Hairpin Art Center in 2016 and remains relevant today. The set contrasts these two worlds, a well-used piano in one, a pipe organ in another. The music ranges from classical church canon to gospel, jazz, rock, country, and blues. At minimum, the pit includes a keyboard, bass, and drums. An accompaniment track is also available.