Kennie’s Playhouse Theatre (KPT) is set to storm yet another Nashville stage. KPT, in conjunction with the Manna From Heaven Dinner Theatre, presents Javon Johnson’s spiritually uplifting musical comedy Sanctified. The cast features Keith Floyd former lead singer of the R&B group ‘After 7.’ This isn’t your usual run of the mill theatrical, it’s an event that promises to deliver several nights of hand clapping, foot tapping, gut busting fun for the whole family. You’ll be glad you came.
Johnson’s Sanctified offers a comical yet compelling glimpse into the heart of a small, southern, Black Baptist church and its beloved congregants. Few in number they may be, but Piney Grove Baptist Church is one flock of born again, baptized believers whose convictions are heavily rooted in tradition and dead set against change.
Does the young and newly elected interim pastor, Harold P. Jones, have what it takes to usher in a fiery spirit of revival in an effort to restore the church’s lukewarm reputation. Will his decision to enlist his (diva ‘wanna be’) cousin to assist with a much needed gospel explosion take away the last and only leg the church has left to stand on—or does Piney Grove already have a ram in the bush?
Though pushed to the brink, all is not lost. See how this struggling, African American, South Carolinian church is forced to see themselves for who they truly are and agree to unite together for a mighty work in the Lord through song. Who said church can’t be fun?
Under the direction of Kenny Dozier and music directors Cedric Poellnitz and Deb Starling, featured cast members include: the incomparable Keith Floyd (former Lead Singer of the R&B group ‘After 7’); Bryant Thompson; Jadaeka (Jaye) Mazon; Calvin O. Atchison II; Darius Willis; Ricky Newbill, Jr.; Cole Jonique; LaJuanda Thompson; LaQualla Tatum; Danielle Brown; and Kenny Dozier. The ‘ensemble’ includes: Michel Mosby, Gabrielle Frelix, Deborah Starling, Kendra McPhail, and Quanlando Jones.
Sanctified will have five nightly performances, including: April 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 at 7:30 pm. Sunday matinees include: April 20, April 27 at 4 pm.
Manna From Heaven Dinner Theatre is located at 3510 West Hamilton Rd., Nashville, Tenn. 37218. Call 615-730-0581 for information, or visit the website at www.kennieplayhousetheatre.com.
Tickets for Sanctified are $15, with special pricing ‘one night only’ April 20. Dinner is offered during the performance (see website or call for pricing). Tickets are available online at www.kennieplayhousetheatre.com or www.brownpapertickets.com.
A generous portion of the proceeds from each performance will be donated to Youth About Business. YAB conducts one of the most innovative leadership-training programs for youth in the marketplace today. The vision of Youth About Business is to provide an innovative training program to prepare youth to be successful in a business environment.
