Shows A

AMEN CORNER Musical in 2 Acts 6 Scenes. Book by: Peter Udell and Philip Rose : Lyrics by: Peter Udell : Music by: Garry Sherman : Based on the play The Amen Corner by James Baldwin Nederlander Theatre, Broadway - Opened 10th November, 1983 : Closed 4 December, 1983 (29 perfs) SYNOPSIS Margaret Alexander, the strong-willed female pastor of a storefront church in 1960sHarlem, is suddenly all-too-human in the eyes of her devout congregation when her long-lost musician husband returns. Margaret struggles to keep herself – and her leadership of the church – together as she confronts her feelings for this “wicked” man and her wayward son who has lost his faith. Her final reconciliation with her husband purges Margaret of bitterness and gives her the strength to continue her religious mission. James Baldwin’s powerful play about the double-edged sword of righteousness is transformed into a rousing, emotional musical of faith and redemption with a spine-tingling contemporary Gospel score. A fine book by the authors of “Purlie” and “Shenandoah” showcases a cast of talented back actors in this fiery, inspirational and poignant drama. STORY It is a bright Sunday morning at a New York Church where Sister Margaret Alexander is preaching to her congregation. She tells the people over and over that they can't serve two masters. They can only serve the Lord! The Lord is the only way to salvation. Sister Moore, Elder of the Church, helps lead the congregation in praise of Sister Margaret. They are certainly lucky to have a shepherd like her lead their flock. Sister Moore then calls upon souls that need the healing of Sister Margaret. With that, a young woman comes forward with a baby in her arms and approaches Sister Margaret. The woman's name is Ida Jackson and her baby's name is Daniel. The baby has been sick, and Ida asks Sister Margaret to pray for him. When Sister Margaret asks the woman where her husband is, she can only say that he doesn't want to hear the Lord's name ever again. The Preacher chastises Ida and her husband for whatever wrong they have done; however, she asks the congregation to join in as they pray for the baby. She then tells Ida to go, and when she comes back with her baby all-better, she needs to bring her husband along. Ida agrees and goes back to her seat. A collection is then taken up and Sister Moore encourages everyone in the congregation to give as much as they can. Later that morning in Margaret's apartment, Margaret's older sister, Odessa, is pouring the preacher some coffee. Margaret is going to Philadelphia to do some "healing" - visiting Old Mother Phillips whom is very sick. It appears that the congregation there needs some spiritual help. She informs Odessa that she wants to take her son, David, with her. Odessa doesn't want David to go with his mother - solely because he plays the piano for the services, and he plays it well. They both wonder just where David is, and he suddenly appears and Margaret tells her son that she would like to take him with her to Philadelphia. David, however, has no desire to go with his mother since he doesn't want to take a week off from music school. Also, he doesn't want an inferior pianist (Sister Price) substituting at church. Margaret is a bit horrified to see just how "saucy" her son has suddenly become. Brother Boxer, Sister Boxer, and Sister Moore, having finished their chores in the church, enter Margaret's apartment. Margaret tells her son to go pack for the Philadelphia trip, and he tells her that if he is going to be gone for a whole week, there is something he needs to do. He must run down the block and borrow a music score from a friend. His mother tells him to hurry back, and he rushes down the alley. The adults all comment on what a good boy he is. And what is even better is that Margaret raised him all by herself - without a husband and father. Odessa and Margaret then exit to the bedroom while the others talk amongst

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODU3MzQ=