Actors ‘got the call’ for Mahalia!

• By ROBIN MILLER
• Arts writer
• Published: Jun 21, 2009

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There’s a lot of talk about callings here. Mahalia Jackson’s calling to perform gospel music and LaNea Wilkinson’s calling to portray the singer.

But Wilkinson isn’t the only one here who felt called. There’s a lot of talk around here, remember? And there are also a lot of cast members of UpStage Theatre’s upcoming musical production of Tom Stolz’s Mahalia!, which runs Friday and Saturday, June 26-27, at the Louisiana State Police Training Academy Theatre.

The cast somehow knew this was a story in which they should be involved.

They wanted to share the story’s message. They felt it was a perfect fit to their own faith.

And when putting these puzzle pieces together, they knew they were called to this play by God.

Ask Carolyn Bibbins. She plays Jackson’s strict Aunt Duke.

“I’m the elder in this cast,” she said. “I’m the lead singer at Douglas Avenue Baptist Church, and I was looking for something that would go along with my faith. I felt called to do something in gospel music, and then UpStage had auditions for this musical. I knew I was called.”

Ask Shea Stephens. He plays Jackson’s cousin Fred, and Pastor Lawrence.

“This play is about faith,” he said. “And though it’s about faith in God, it’s also about having faith in yourself. It’s inspiring.”

But Wilkinson’s story is probably is the most powerful testament.

She was drawn to Jackson’s character; the musical would give her a chance not only to perform gospel music but to perform it in the persona of the queen of gospel music.

But she didn’t even begin considering this possibility until after the audition deadline.

“I saw the audition dates on a flyer, and I thought it was too late,” Wilkinson said. “I’d given up the idea. But then I found out that Dr. Turner still hadn’t found a Mahalia at the auditions, and my friends encouraged me to try out.”