Ledisi, Loretta Devine + Quentin Darrington to read for musical version of ‘The Preacher’s Wife’

Posted by | Ray Cornelius 

Congrats to nine-time GRAMMY® nominated singer Ledisi! After completing the “Rebel, Soul and Saint Tour” with Kirk Franklin on December 2, she will be participating in an industry read for Tituss Burgess‘ new musical adaptation of “The Preacher’s Wife.” The event will take place on December 11 in New York City.

According to PLAYBILL, the show features the “In the Morning” singer as Julia Biggs, played by Whitney Houston in 1996 film version. Broadway star and my fellow USF Bull Quentin Earl Darrington will portray Reverend Henry Biggs and original “Dreamgirl” Loretta Devine will portray Julia’s mother, Margueritte Coleman. If you recall, Devine played Biggs’ secretary, Beverly in the film.

Rounding out the cast is Tony nominee Clifton Davis as Deacon Lewis, Donald Webber as Dudley, Alan Green as Joe Hamilton, Jian Harrell as Jeremiah, Abebaw Silver as Hakim, Gerry McIntyre as Deacon Johnson, Q. Smith as Delphine Lewis and Beverly, and Ashley Jenkins as Ilona Johnson.

As previously reported, the Broadway-aimed musical is described as “the story of one woman (Julia’s) journey to find her voice and strengthen her husband (the Preacher) and larger church community during a moment of financial crisis and emotional overwhelm. In a fast-gentrifying Harlem when they’re at risk of losing their church and their hope, an Angel appears and reminds them that a church is not a building, but the people who inhabit it and the love they share.”

Burgess wrote the score for the musical while Azie Dungey will replace Daniel Beaty as the book’s writer. Tony nominee Michael Arden will also replace Stafford Arima as the show’s director.

RC will keep you posted as this project continues to develop.

Photo Credits: Facebook.com