Skylight's rousing 'Gospel at Colonus' tells Oedipus story through spirit-filled music Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal SentinelPublished 9:04 a.m. CT Jan. 20, 2020

My advice to anyone going to "The Gospel at Colonus" during its short Skylight Music Theatre run is to not fret about understanding the story. Just let the music and the charismatic voices in this production wash over you.

Playwright and composer Bob Telson have recast ' ancient Greek tragedy "" in the form of a Pentecostal Christian service, with gospel, R&B and blues elements in the music.

This is Oedipus (Byron Jones) as a blind old man, dependent on his daughters Antigone (Tasha McCoy) and Ismene (Raven Dockery). As we know from the events of "Oedipus Rex," they are also his sisters.

"The Gospel at Colonus" gives us Oedipus not only as a weary man seeking the right place to die in order to fulfill a prophecy, but as a sinner seeking redemption. Ancient Greek religious concepts and Christian ones overlap in this production. Armchair theologians could burn up many candles sorting them out.

These characters would have been familiar figures to Sophocles' audience. "The Gospel at Colonus" doesn't develop them per se; it allows them to present their arguments and defend themselves, as though they were on trial.

Some productions have used large church choirs as this show's chorus. Director Sheri Williams Pannell and music director Christie Chiles Twillie make the most of 14 actor- singers. This Skylight production is, by and large, a staged concert. Respecting the religious elements, movement is often stately and ceremonial, except during rousing gospel numbers, when it is filled with spirit.

As the Balladeer, Kevin James Sievert slays with his sweet voice and enthusiastic dancing. Sievert, Shawn Holmes and other singers often form a male quartet or quintet dubbed Soul Stirrers, supporting Oedipus and others with striking harmonies. Curtis Bannister and Marvin Hannah make strong authority figures, Bannister as charismatic King Theseus and Hannah as the warmhearted Messenger, the preacher who initiates the action and sometimes speaks Oedipus' words for him. Music director Chiles Twillie, on keyboards, leads an impressive eight-musician band that features Chris Crain on Hammond B3 organ and Steve Lewandowski, who has a knockout moment on guitar supporting Jones on "Lift Me Up."

The characters wear Amy Horst's Afrocentric costume designs, including spectacular dresses for Ismene and Antigone.

And talk about saving the best wine for last: Cynthia Cobb raises the roof on the hallelujah number "Lift Him Up." If she had walked down the aisle and out of the theater onto the street, I think everyone in the building would have followed her, dancing and singing.

Contact Jim Higgins at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @jhiggy. IF YOU GO

Skylight Music Theatre performs "The Gospel at Colonus" through Jan. 26 at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. Visit skylightmusictheatre.org or call (414) 291-7800.

Related: Skylight Music Theatre's 'The Gospel at Colonus' takes Oedipus story to church