PR2009 Jan U1

Shelton State Celebrates “Realizing the Dream 2009”

TUSCALOOSA – Shelton State Community College, in cooperation with the University of Alabama and Stillman College and “Realizing the Dream 2009” committee, will host a performance of God’s Trombones on Tuesday, January 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Bean-Brown Theatre at Shelton State’s Martin Campus, located at 9500 Old Greensboro Road.

In 2003, the MLK Theatrical Presentation was established as an extension of the MLK Lecture Series and Realizing the Dream Concert. The Committee wanted to include a performing arts component to the series that would compliment both the concert and lecture series. The MLK Theatrical Presentation has featured storytellers and lecturers, Dwe Williams and Steven Hobbs and sponsored a dramatic reading of the works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Rev. Warner Durnell. The event is presented annually celebrating Black History month and is hosted by Shelton State Community College.

Johnson's God's Trombones is originally a compilation of seven sermons covering all aspects of Christian faith from the inspirational "Listen, Lord - A Prayer" to the seemingly dramatic "Go Down Death - A Funeral Sermon." Its use of language and vernacular resembles the early folk literature of African cultures by showcasing the Bible as a platform to examine life and portrayed African-American preachers as strong instruments who exhorted the flock with their bold voices.

With the addition of music by Roy Ringwald, the musical and dramatic interpretation of the texts will feature the Shelton Singers, under the direction of Glinda Blackshear, with instrumental accompaniment by Shelton Music faculty Syble Coats, Mark Brown, and Susan Goode. Reading the sermons will be Shelton State staff member Dave Rogers, as the Preacher and Marcie Marrow as the woman Prayer Leader.  Theatre Tuscaloosa Executive Producer Tina Fitch will serve as dramatic coach.

The first half of the event will feature the Shelton Singers performing music by and about African-Americans.  To be performed are works by composers Jester Hairston, William L. Dawson, Moses Hogan, Jeffrey Ames, and Rosephanye Powell.

The concert is free and suitable for all audiences. For more information, call 205.391.2344.

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