"THE GREAT DIVAS OF GOSPEL" The Show
The electrifying show, THE GREAT DIVAS OF GOSPEL, pays a powerful tribute to the female pioneers of Gospel music who bravely carried this joyous music all across this nation during the Great Depression of the late 1930's & 1940's.
Although segregation was the law of the land, these great ladies didn't let that deter them from singing and preaching the Gospel.
"THE GREAT DIVAS OF GOSPEL," salutes dynamic Gospel groups like The Sallie Martin Singers, The Clara Ward Singers, The Roberta Martin Singers, Dorothy Love Coates & The Original Gospel Harmonettes, Marion Williams & The Stars of Faith, The Famous Davis Sisters, Albertina Walker & The Famous Caravans, and of course, Gospel's Queen, Mahalia Jackson.
Interestingly enough, some of these singing evangelists held weekly church revivals as they traveled across the U.S.A., but certain groups took the Gospel to the nightclubs. The Clara Ward Singers broke records singing in elite supper clubs: they reigned for 40 weeks in Las Vegas in the 1950s. Marion Williams & The Stars of Faith starred in the first African American Gospel show on Broadway in "The Black Nativity," with Alex Bradford. Mahalia Jackson had a million-selling hit with "How I Got Over," and hosted her own radio show on CBS in 1954.
These great divas toured Europe triumphantly to stellar reviews and sold-out houses. Indeed they all were a vital part of The Golden Era of Gospel Music (1945-60), recording Gospel's first million-sellers, and laying down the foundation for today's singers.
So, "THE GREAT DIVAS OF GOSPEL," is an oldie-but-goodie celebration of traditional Gospel music. This riveting show gives the audience an intense insight into the incredible lives of these legendary ladies through drama and song.
The superb cast of "THE GREAT DIVAS OF GOSPEL," includes its playwright, Lady Peachena, Betty Cooks, Debbie Sargeant, Carol Hawthorne, and Nadine Simmons. They all give stunning portrayals of these Gospel giants.
For bookings, contact Lady Peachena by email at: peachena@aol.com.
The Great Divas of Gospel posing after show at The Schomburg Center in Harlem.
THE GREAT DIVAS OF GOSPEL- The Group
The Great Divas of Gospel has been singing in concerts all over the NYC, NJ, & CT metro area for the past 15 years. This fantastic quintet can sing a cappella, or with instrumentation.
They have sung at weddings, bar mitzvahs, churches, and parties, and their glorious voices are mesmerizing.
Their cd, 'STAY IN THE RACE," is available at: www.cdbaby.com/divasofgospel.
For bookings contact Lady Peachena at: peachena@aol.com.
