Sanctified

Bernardine Mitchell (Sarah) in the new gospel musical comedy SANCTIFIED at Lincoln Theatre Photo Credit: Stan Barouh

African-American churches always know how to put on a good show – entertaining songs and dances, infectious enthusiasm and spirituality, and a way of worship that makes each sermon seem a celebration. But to turn that show into a show? 

The message is going to the masses. And even the most solemn in their seats will find religion at Sanctified, on stage at the historic Lincoln Theatre through November 14th. 

Here’s the hymn: The good church folks at East Piney Grove Baptist Church have fallen on hard times and a planned gospel revival may be their last chance to maintain a congregation.
Doubt: Act 1 gets going slower than a preacher’s Sunday morning sermon, and while the players are true to life, those two “delivery” men’s characters are never fully developed.
Praise the Lord:  By the end of the production, the congregation, er – audience – is on their feet praying, praising and getting Sanctified.