Gospel play “A Piece of My Soul” returns to Chicago
CHICAGO: (May 2, 2013) — “A Piece of My Soul -- The Revival” and The Edutainment Project announced that The Boeing Company is the presenting sponsor for the show's Saturday, May 25, performance.
It will proudly honor United States Veterans and those serving to protect this country. Boeing will present The Distinguished Service Award to Chicago-native, Brigadier General Ronald F. Lewis, a West Point graduate serving overseas; Brig. Gen. Lewis will appear live, via satellite, from Afghanistan during the ceremony to accept the recognition.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented by Boeing annually to a deserving member of the armed services to show civilian appreciation. The night's program will commence with a full honor guard representing all five branches of the armed services.
“A Piece of My Soul – The Revival”, is an adaptation of “A Piece of My Soul – The Anthology of Gospel” originally staged in Chicago from 2000-03. The original starred the late “Queen of Gospel” Albertina Walker and The Barrett Sisters, and was heralded by the Chicago Sun-Times as “A Must See!” and “Highly Recommended!”
The adapted musical stage play will be presented at 7:30 p.m. May 24 and 25, Memorial Day Weekend, at Christ Universal Temple, 11901 S. Ashland.
The play features the incomparable Vickie Winans and Chicago's-own, songstress Faith Howard; it will also include performances by Monique Whittington and Felicia Coleman-Evans, as well as the rest of the original cast.
"A Piece of My Soul – The Revival" takes its audience on an exciting journey through the history of gospel music in America — past to present — from early call-and-response work songs and negro spirituals to driving beats and mass choir harmonies common in today's contemporary gospel music. The play includes tributes to former cast members Walker, and the late Delois Barrett-Campbell, and features a combination of foot-stomping renditions of timeless gospel classics and wildly entertaining vignettes, with an emphasis on Chicago's indelible contribution to the form.
Tickets are available via Lewispro.com, Ticketmaster.com and Christ Universal Temple's box office for $30; complementary tickets and group rates are available by contacting lewispro@msn.com or 708-955-2678.
Proceeds from "A Piece of My Soul – The Revival" will benefit The Edutainment Project. The Edutainment Project's is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to provide access to the arts for students in under-served schools and communities by bringing culturally-focused arts programs into schools and by conducting after-school workshops and arts camps for students to channel their creative energies in positive ways.
About Brigadier General Ronald F. Lewis
Brigadier General Lewis graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1987. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering mechanics from West Point and a master's degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Brig. Gen. Lewis' most recent key staff assignment was as the senior military assistant to the deputy secretary of defense. He is a native of Chicago.