Gospel legend Mahalia Jackson recreated on university stage
Oakland singer/actress Jeannine Anderson will star in 'Halie!' on the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ stage. (Photo: Daniel Atkinson)
- June 16, 2010
The life and legacy of Mahalia Jackson, in the form of the world premier musical, “Halie!,” comes to the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ stage July 29 through Aug. 1.
Written by Wendy E. Taylor and directed by Darryl V. Jones, with musical arrangements by Taylor and Mary D. Watkins, the performances will be staged in the University Theatre on the university's Hayward Campus, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 29; Friday, July 30; and Saturday, July 31. Another performance is at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 1.
This production is one of the many joint ventures between the Theatre and Dance Department; the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences; and the Associated Students Inc.
Oakland singer and actress Jeannine Anderson will play Mahalia.
“Her powerful voice will lift the roof and the spirit with Mahalia classics such as, ‘Precious Lord Take My Hand,’ ‘Move On Up A Little Higher,’ ‘Joshua Fit The Battle of Jericho’ and many, many more,” said Jones, associate professor of theatre and dance.
Anderson was featured in the Oakland Opera Company production of, “Dark River,” in which she played Emma Townsend, Fannie Lou Hamer’s mother.
Also in the cast of “Halie!” will be local actor Gary Stanford, whose credits include, “Dark River” at OOC, and “The Producers” at Foothill Music Theatre. CSUEB musical students Reggie White and Tim Leaser complete the cast.
This is the first completely realized and produced show for Taylor, who was seen in “Ain’t Misbehavin’” on Broadway, and had a workshop production at Pastor Alfonso Bernard’s Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, NY. She and Jones have been collaborating and performing together for years, and they shared the stage in 1977 when they performed at President Jimmy Carter’s first state dinner.
Jones’ connection to Mahalia goes back even further. He remembers, as a child, hearing her promote compilations of her greatest hits on television, then connected with her, and with her power and spirit, when teaching and directing African American theater and music.
“When I look for uplifting music, I often turn to Mahalia to take me and my audience where I need to go,” said Jones. "When I look for a voice that is full of suffering but reminds me of the divine hope for a brighter tomorrow, I turn to Mahalia,” he said.
Jones thinks the show can have a long life touring to Northern California theaters and churches, and dreams that it can inspire additional new musicals, particularly among playwrights of color who speak to the East Bay Community.
Tickets are $15 (general admission); $10 (Youth/Seniors/Alumni); and $5 for CSUEB students, and may be reserved at tickets@csueastbay.edu or by calling (510) 885-3118. Tickets also may be purchased at the Pioneer Bookstore on campus.
CSUEB welcomes persons with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please notify event sponsor in advance at (510) 885-3118 if special accommodation is needed.