Gospel! Gospel! Gospel! at Karamu House

A joyous celebration of a uniquely American style of music; an exciting, almost churchlike, exclamation of the faith and perseverance of America's black community throughout the last two centuries; an interactive clap-fest, designed to bring the audience tears, smiles, and often both at the same time: Gospel! Gospel! Gospel!, now playing at Cleveland's Karamu House Theatre, is all of those things, and more.

The production, a world premiere, was created by Julliard-trained choreographer, Otis Sallid and made possible by Karamu alumnus and Cleveland native, Grey's Anatomy star James Pickens Jr. The show's twelve-member ensemble cast, which includes some of the region's best gospel voices, takes the audience on a journey from the days just after the Emancipation Proclamation to the present, guided by narrator, Neal Hodges. The Spartan set, street clothes as costumes, and the un-miked cast gives the performance an intimate feel. What's more: Karamu's two-hundred seat theater lets the audience feel a part of the story. Gospel! Gospel! Gospel! is powerful, poignant, moving, and fun -- not necessarily in that order.

The production continues Thursdays through Sundays until November 5. Executive producer, James Pickens Jr., who originally planned to serve as narrator in the production, is scheduled to assume that role for the last two performances. Tickets are $15 - $20 and may be ordered by calling the Karamu box office at 216 795-7077 or 216 795-7078.

Don't miss Gospel!, Gospel!, Gospel!