Loretta Devine, Amber Riley & More to Star in THE PREACHER'S WIFE World Premiere

The Alliance Theatre has revealed the cast and creative team of its world premiere musical, THE PREACHER’S WIFE. Inspired by the 1996 film, THE PREACHER’S WIFE is a celebration of community, family, and the power of faith.  Featuring an original score by award nominated actor, musician, and writer Tituss Burgess (TV: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) and a book by actress, producer, and writer Azie Dungey (TV: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Harlem, Girls5eva), THE PREACHER'S WIFE will run on The Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre from May 11 – June 16, 2024, with an official opening set for Friday, May 24 at 8:00 p.m.     

Released in 1986, The Preacher's Wife was directed by Penny Marshall and starred Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, and Courtney B. Vance. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score and was also nominated for five Image Awards, including Outstanding Motion Picture, and won two—for Best Actress (Whitney Houston) and Best Supporting Actress (Loretta Devine).
 
The cast of THE PREACHER’S WIFE includes Rebecca E. Covington as Beverly; NAACP Image Award and Emmy Award winner Loretta Devine (Film: Waiting to Exhale, The Preacher’s Wife; TV: Boston Public, Gray’s Anatomy; Broadway: Dreamgirls) as Marguerite Coleman; Alan H. Green (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Joe Hamilton; Jahi Kearse (Ain’t Too Proud) as Deacon Lewis; Davis Michael Matthews as Hakeem; Cameron McCrae as Jeremiah; Wayne Pretlow as Ol’ Mac; Brad Raymond (Film: The Color Purple) as Deacon Johnson; Screen Actors Guild Award and Laurence Olivier Award winner Amber Riley (TV: Glee, Single Black Female, Dancing with the Stars, The Masked Singer, The Wiz Live!, West End: Dreamgirls) as Julia Biggs; Akron Lanier Watson (The Play That Goes Wrong) as Henry Biggs, and Donald Webber, Jr (Hamilton) as Dudley.    
 
The ensemble includes Wesley J. Barnes, Brianna Bellamy, Angela Birchett, Laila Bollar, Melessie Clark, Cedrick Ekra, Cyniah Elise, Darius Harper, Toneisha Harris, Shaq Hester, Brianna Javis, Harper Miles, Amma Osei, Kala Ross, Drew Shade, Michael Stiggers, Alicia Thomas, Damani Van Rensalier, and Helen Marla White.  Ashley Jenkins serves as the Understudy for the role of Julia Biggs. 
 
“I am blown away by the wealth of talent, diversity of style and breadth of experience overflowing in this cast!” said Director Tinashe Kajese-Bolden.  “From our talented Atlanta actors to Broadway vets and Hollywood royalty, they each bring a unique sense of purpose and connection to the material that is magnetic and powerful! The stars aligned in our favor bringing Amber Riley and Akron Watson together as our dynamic leads, with the legendary talent of Loretta Devine and the fantastically debonair Donald Webber, Jr as our Angel.  But what I believe will make this story unforgettable is the joy that radiates from each one of these inspired artists which will undoubtedly give us all a little more faith in the world!”
 
THE PREACHER’S WIFE creative team is led by Tony Award-winning Director Michael Arden (Broadway: Parade; Alliance Theatre: Maybe Happy Ending) and award-winning Director and Alliance Theatre’s Jennings Hertz Artistic Director, Tinashe Kajese-Bolden (Regional: Toni Stone, Alliance Theatre: Furlough’s Paradise).  The musical’s book is by writer & producer Azie Dungey (TV: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Harlem, Girls5eva), with an original score by Georgia native and six-time Emmy Award nominee Tituss Burgess (TV: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt; Theater: Moulin Rouge!).  
 
THE PREACHER’S WIFE creative team includes Choreographer Matthew Johnson Harris (Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical); Tony nominated Scenic Designer Dane Laffrey (Parade); Scenic Designer Teresa L. Williams (Jaja’s African Hair Braiding); Tony nominated Costume Designer Sarafina Bush (The Who’s Tommy); Tony nominated Lighting Designer Jennifer Schriever (A Strange Loop); Tony nominated Sound Designer Joshua D. Reid (A Christmas Carol); Wig Designer Cookie Jordan (Merrily We Roll Along); and Illusionist Skylar Fox (Fat Ham). James Sampliner (Legally Blonde) serves as the production’s Music Supervisor, Music Director, Orchestrator, and Arranger. 
 
Additional production support is provided by Associate Director Emilio Ramos; Associate Choreographer Jōvan Dansberry; Associate Music Director John Gentry Tennyson; Stage Manager Julie DeVore, with casting by Tara Rubin Casting and Jody Feldman. 
 
“I am beyond thrilled to be back at the Alliance Theatre after a record-breaking run of MAYBE HAPPY ENDING in 2019, co-directing this inspiring and magical new musical alongside the Alliance’s own brilliant Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, an artist who I have admired for a long time,” said Director Michael Arden. “Tituss Burgess’ soaring and thrilling score and Azie Dungey’s heartfelt and hysterical book are certain to transport and transform audiences to new heights. Led by this superb cast, featuring Matthew Johnson Harris’ clever and exuberant choreography, gorgeous arrangements by the genius James Sampliner, and a production by this stellar design team, THE PREACHER’S WIFE is certain to blow the roof off The Coca-Cola Stage and crack your hearts open wide."
 
“I’ve been waiting a long time to give this to the world,” said Composer Tituss Burgess. “I hope it brings audiences as much joy as writing it has brought me!”

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