Church Girl: Uplifting new musical drama features soul-stirring gospel music

Church Girl: Uplifting new musical drama features soul-stirring gospel music

By Melanie Williams/Tell Us Chicago

Church Girl, produced by Ladies First Entertainment and Sweetpro Presents, this uplifting new musical drama features soul-stirring gospel music, while it bravely examines into a part of the entertainment world that has been, until now, considered taboo.

Barrow-Dunlap's Church Girl- “Not exactly what her mother prayed for.” From Executive Producer & Playwright ~ Angela Barrow-Dunlap; Co-Writers ~ Vanessa Lynn, Wanda Nero-Butler, Duane Davis; Director: Reuben Yabuku. The shocking new musical stage play based on actual events that is taking the country by storm!

"Being raised in church all my life my mother always prayed that I would grow up to become a doctor, a lawyer or maybe even a teacher. Now I still go to church on Sunday and sing in the choir, but it’s what I do Monday through Saturday that would shock the congregation".

"Church Girl" is more than a stage play; it is a life changing experience! Based on TRUE STORIES "Church Girl" follows the life of "Emily Franklin", a pastor’s daughter who is lured into a dangerous and fast-paced world that leads her away from everything she has been taught since childhood. So hold on to your seats as the story takes you on a visual, musical and emotional journey that will make you laugh, cry and dance in the aisles!

Starring: Robin Givens (Boomerang), A'ngela Winbush (R&B star), Drew Sidora (The Game), Sean Blakemore (Motives 1&2), Karen Clark Sheard (The Clark Sisters), Wanda Nero-Butler (Gospel Artist), Tony Grant (Az Yet) and Demetria McKinney (House of Payne).

Witness the power of grace and redemption in this shocking new inspirational musical based on true stories.

From the writers of many national plays including “My Brother Marvin”, “If These Hips Could Talk”, “Real Men Pray” and “Why Good Girls Like Bad Boyz” comes the highly anticipated musical “Church Girl”.

Church Girl’s remaining Spring Tour dates:

Church Girl has taken the world by storm city by city. After touring a total 16 cities from East to West coast, the last stop on the tour is the Mid West -Chicago. Church Girl infuses the magic of phenomenal music, a cast of colorful characters and a plot based on True Life that captures the audience and speaks to their souls as they relate to the pains and pleasures of making powerful choices and giving in to temptation. When asked what the inspiration behind Church Girl was, this is what Dunlap had to say; “The play is based on a true story, occurred within my own family. I have an 18 year-old cousin that was raised in the church and is the daughter of a minister. All her life she was very shy, you would say hello to her and she would even blush. My family and I learned through some of our younger family members that she had some explicit photos on Facebook. Being concerned, we investigated and dug a little deeper, shortly we learned that she was one of Detroit’s top strippers. The family had no idea. Fortunately, she was delivered. We literally prayed her out of the club and she decided she wanted to tell her story and testimony. So many Christians have one foot in the church and one foot in the world, and some are prisoners to their lives and don’t know the power of choice. You can choose to be free and victorious no matter what you have done in the past.”

Dunlap’s journey to success started at an early age, as she played the starring role in “Wiz Kid” in kindergarten. Her achievements peeked when her high school drama teacher encouraged her to write, direct, promote and build a set for a play. Thus after, she became a teenage actress and pursued further education at Wayne State University in Detroit. There she studied theatre and communications for a very short time. “I ended up choosing the path of most teenagers, I wanted to party,” said Dunlap. She auditioned for one of the first urban plays Mama Don’t when she was 18. Dunlap was inspired to learn as much as she could and with dedication and willingness to learn the craft she became the national tour manager at 19. With eight plays under her belt, Dunlap is a rising force in the theatrical universe.

Here are a few remaining questions from the interview:

Tell Us Chicago (TUC): What advice would you give to up and coming artists who are trying to get their foot in the door of theatre?

Dunlap: Study the craft. I studied the craft; it’s important to study and take classes. Learn the business from every aspect, write and journal every experience because life is a story.

TUC: What are some of your favorite plays?

Dunlap: To name a few: The Piano Lesson, The Color Purple and Dream Girls.

TUC: Who are some of your favorite cast mates to work with?

Dunlap: Tichina Arnold, Billy D. Williams, Robin Givens, I love my cast, Sean Blakemore and Malik Yoba to name a few.

TUC: What is your view on the economic pressures of Detroit, seeing how you are a Detroit native?

Dunlap: Detroit has shown me a ray of love, selling out the first weekend of Church Girl and having to extend the show. It was also the same weekend Tyler Perry’s play was on tour and Detroit showed me so much love.

TUC: What’s next in the life of Angela?

Dunlap: I am working on shooting a film for “Why Do Good Girls like Bad Boys” the end of June, along with a tour extension of Church Girl, since it has gotten a huge response nationally.

Tell Us Chicago also had the pleasure of interviewing a few of the cast members:

A'ngela Winbush: Singer, songwriter, keyboardist and producer, A’ngela Winbush's credentials include her career as a solo artist with the #1 R&B hit single, “Angel.” She is also a successful songwriter having written for numerous R&B artists including Stephanie Mills and The Isley Brothers, and as part of the singing duo Rene & A’ngela. She is known for her hit songs “Save Your Love (For #1)” and “Your Smile.”

Tell Us Chicago (TUC): Why should we see this play?

A’ngela Winbush: There is plenty of eye candy and it’s relatable. Strip life has become a vocation of choice, that we don’t want our kids to start picking. Strip life is glamorized, but there are consequences that goes with that life style and death that comes with that life style. In this play we are trying to portray truth.

Sean Blakemore: Star of the hit franchise film series "Motives I & II" directed by Craig Ross, Sean has been acting since 1998 and has appeared in numerous films, TV programs and stage plays including recurring roles on TV soap operas "Days of Our Lives" and "The Young and the Restless," Ivan Frank's hit movie "Belly 2: Millionaire Boyz Club" and Sheldon Candis' film "Young Cesar."

Tell Us Chicago (TUC): Was relating to your character difficult since he is portrayed as the bad boy?

SB: My character Jacob Sinclair is the forbidden fruit; he gives them what they ask for. It’s about the power of choice, she chose to do it and she wanted what she wanted. It’s a part of life; we have all seen the devil work in different ways in our lives, in television, families and etc. She chose to do it, and there’s a price to pay for our choices. It wasn’t difficult because the devil works in different ways you can learn directly or indirectly from life itself.

Tell Us Chicago (TUC): What advice do you give to artists who are trying to find their way?

SB: Be grounded and stay true to who you are, you don’t want to be enticed by things that look good but not necessary good for you. It’s a marathon not a sprint. You don’t want to end up like this character. Commit to your desires. “Your passion will put you past your exhaustion.”

Demetria McKinney: Actress, singer, songwriter, model and dancer. Demetria is best known for her role as Janine Payne on Tyler Perry's "House of Payne." She recently released her first official single titled "Stay" on the Majestic Entertainment Group label.

Tell Us Chicago (TUC): What can we expect from you in the near future?

Demetria McKinney (DMK): More episodes of House of Pain are in discussions. I am also playing the role of Coretta Scott King in an operated version of Dr. Martin Luther King life’s story at the Lions Theatre in Atlanta the entire month of July.

Tell Us Chicago (TUC): Was it easy for you to relate to the character?

DMK: We all have our crosses to bare; her willingness to expose her situation in the efforts to help someone else is amazing. I am a DK (deacons kid) and she is a PK (pastors kid) so I am definitely aware of the pressure of having that standard of life at your crossroads.

TUC: What advice can you give to others that are trying to get their foot in the door of acting?

DMK: For the ladies, if you start off respecting yourself, you have to finish that way. Know your role and be true to yourself.

Karen Clark Sheard: 2010 Grammy Award winner, Karen Clark Sheard started her career as a member of the Clark Sisters, one of the most popular contemporary gospel groups of the '80s and '90s. She began singing with the group at the age of seven. Karen launched her solo career with the release of "Finally Karen" for which she received a Grammy nomination and a Lady of Soul award for Best Gospel Album. She is currently collaborating with her son, J. Drew, to release her first CD in four years, ‘All In One,’ a slick set of urban flavored gospel on the Karen label.

Tell Us Chicago (TUC): What can we expect from your character in Church Girl?

Karen Clack Sheard (KCS): I play the role of Valerie the aunt. The play has an awesome message and is a blessing to all families. The play has a very powerful message, sometimes we lose are families in church and this play reflects how the power of church and God can bring you back. The play is relatable to everyone.

Tell Us Chicago (TUC): You have been in countless plays; is acting and theatre a branch from your music?

KCS: I am branching out into my career, a light role in one play or film can prepare me for a bigger role. Acting takes me away from being confined from the four walls of church. It’s another avenue I can use to get my message out and that’s ministry, because everyone doesn’t come to church.

TUC: What big role would you like to take on?

KCS: The role that saves a life. I prefer theatre because I can be personal with the audience. I am all about making an impact on someone’s life, doesn’t matter what role you play as long as you are impacting lives in a positive way.

Drew Sidora: Actress and singer known for her recurring role as Chantel in the Disney Channel original series, "That's So Raven" and as Lucy Avila in the 2006 film "Step Up." She can currently be seen portraying a fictionalized version of herself on the CW comedy-drama television series, "The Game." Sidora recently released her debut single ‘Juke It’ courtesy of Slip-N-Slide records which is garnering extensive airplay since its early April release.

Tell Us Chicago (TUC): Tell us about the play and why viewers should see it?

Drew Sidora (DS): The play reflects the importance of choices. It is not your typical gospel play. Many people say it has two sides- a good side and an evil side; you can sit back and say what choices you are making and which side you want to live your life on.

TUC: How did you get into acting and singing?

SD: I was playing the piano at three and in the choir at five. I had a passion for both. Started off doing plays, went to L.A. and got signed to a singing group, it didn’t work out as planned. But eventually I started getting booked for movies like Never Die Alone, White Chicks and That’s So Raven. My acting took off as a respect to people knowing me as an actress.

TUC: What’s your passion?

SD: Music and acting are both my passion. My acting career compliments my music, singing and acting are both an art form, they go hand and hand. Music and acting are both heartfelt and both relay emotions of a story but music is audio and acting is visual. As a singer you are telling a story in your video, vocals, and that’s what acting is, I think of both of them as one in the same.

TUC: Your first single has gotten a great response. Tell us why you chose ‘Juke It’ to be your first single and was it a hard choice?

SD: I wanted a single to let people know who I am and where I am from –Chicago. I like to dance, it tells my story and it’s an easy choice. ‘Juke It’ is a story about how we grew up, dancing and having fun, laughing how we chose to express ourselves it’s a story to be told in Chicago, no other city knows what ‘Juke It’ is. I think it’s a story that needs to be expressed. It is what we were surrounded by as a kid. How we expressed ourselves, a lot o people don’t understand about what Lakeshore and the summer’s mean to us.

TUC: If you could pick any role to portray what role would it be and why?

SD: The Aaliyah story, about a young girl with a dream and a passion. She was one of the first African American women that we knew to sing and dance and star in movies that were geared to actresses of other ethnic groups. Aaliyah pursued it and broke down boundaries and I would love to play her in a film.

TUC: What can we expect from you in the future?

SD: I am in a new sitcom starting this fall called “One Love” executive produced by T.D. Jakes. I also started a foundation named “Dream Makers” geared to encouraging self esteem, safe sex and etc for youth. I have a new film that comes out this June called “Blessed and Cursed” along with more music, new artists and acting.