Don B. Welch Productions Present “HEAVENBOUND” Written & Directed By Don B. Welch Executive Producer Don B. Welch Co-Producers Chris Dabney Marcus Dabney Keely Watson Musical Direction Kenny Ford Stage Manager(s) Erica Joy, Carlos Padilla Jr. Production Operations Craig Hissong Security Cornell Simmons Featuring Marla Gibbs, Ledisi, Kenny Lattimore, Tammi Mac, Delores Lakey Stewart, Kevin Yarbrough, DeMille Cole- Heard, Andrea Jones, Franchesca White, Charlo Crossley, Joshua Paule, Eboni Brown, TaMeca Devant, Darrelynn Robinson, Pia D, Days (Understudy – Ledisi) The Cast Marla Gibbs……………………………………………………….Christian Gatekeeper Ledisi……………………………………………………………………………..Pepsi Kenny Lattimore………………………………………………………………….Calvin Tammi Mac…………………………………………………………………….Bag Lady Delores Lakey Stewart……………………………………………………………….Cleo Theresa Ford……………………………………………………………………Dutchess Kevin Yarbrough…………………………………………………………………Padlock DeMille Cole-Heard………………………………………………………………Delroy The Choir Andrea Jones, Charlo Crossley, Franchesca White, Joshua Paule, Eboni Brown,TaMeca Devant, Carlos Padilla Jr., Darrelynn Robinson Musical Direction Kenny Ford, Musical Director/ Pianist Randolph Jamar Young , Drums, Patrick Hicks, Bass Special Thanks to: Thomas Owens III, KJLH radio, Aundrae Russell, Kameron Greene, Adai Lamar, Lon McQ, Tammi Mac, Don Amiche, Candance Simmons, Brandi Burks Kesselman, The Morris Family, Scott St. Patrick, Josuha Paule, Pia D. Days, Ty Donaldson , Verlondon C. Harris III, Jonathan Welch Don B. Welch would like to dedicate this production on Mother’s Day weekend to the best mom in the world GLORIA WELCH POLLITT. I love u mom! OUR STORY Six ordinary Christians have passed on and meet in a place called “Almost-In-Heaven.” They have been sent to a room to audition for “The Beams Of Heaven.” They have been sent to a room to auditon consists of a Life testimony, song, and how one lived their life down on earth. What seems to be an easy task turns out to be a much more difficult one as each potential “Beam” is given one last unexpected “test” of their faith. LOCATION: A Place called “Almost-In-Heaven” SETTING: The Beams of Heaven Choir Auditions TIME: Eternity This is a two-act production with one 15-minute intermission @TheOnlyDonB @DonBWelch www.facebook.com/DonaldWelch Don B. Welch (Writer, Director, Executive Producer) Renaissance Man is how a newspaper journalist described the talents of Donald Welch. He is an accomplished singer, actor, writer, director, playwright and producer and now author. Hailing from Philadelphia, PA, Donald began his professional career as a singer at age 15. As an actor he had co-starring roles on “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”, “Cosby” and, several independent films as well as served as a celebrity judge for “The Miss America Pageant” 2000 and 2004 for ABC television, co- judging with Judge Judy, and Fox TV’s Greta Van Susseran. As a playwright, he has written and directed over 25 productions . The most successful being: The Bachelor Party, The Bachelorette Party, My Brothers Keeper, The Divorce and Hallelujah Mahalia. Under the Don B. Welch banner, noted actors Loretta Devine, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Dorien Wilson, Marla Gibbs, Kenny Lattimore, Dawnn Lewis, Jackee, Obba Babatunde, Freda Payne, Mary Wilson, Ananda Lewis, Judy Pace,Tatyana Ali, Ginuwine, Flex Alexander, Jackee’ & Essence Atkins have all been directed by Don B. Welch. In addition, Donald has worked as a writer for superstar friend and fellow Philadelphian, Will Smith. In the year 2000, Donald, at the urging of Will, decided to relocate to Los Angeles to pursue further endeavors in the entertainment industry. Will immediately lent a helping hand by setting up various meetings with industry moguls and introducing Donald to the day-to-day mechanics of the industry.. Signed by Random House Publishers in New York, Don has written two very successful novels, “The Bachelorette Party” and “In My Sisters House.” He is currently working on a 3rd, “Running In Heels”. Most recently he directed his first film “The Bachelor Party” and it has been released nationally by IMAGE Entertainment. He has also completed the feature film “24 Hour Love” starring Lynn Whitfield, Tatyana Ali, & Flex Alexander. And his latest, “The Divorce” was released nationally Jan 2014. Two New stage productions the Misfits and 3 Sisters will premiere later this year. There’s no stopping Don B. Welch who gives all the glory to God. Special Special Thanks to one of my guardian angels on earth: Jana Babatunde-Bey The Writer-Director would like to dedicate this production to 2 very special people: WILL & JADA PINKETT SMITH CAST BIOGRAPHIES MARLA GIBBS drums, the violin and writing songs on her piano at (Christian Gatekeeper) home.. Ledisi received two scholarships to attend Armed with an acid dry wit and San Francisco State and Cal State Hayward but full arsenal of sarcasm and sass, personal troubles at home would derail her dreams the legendary, iconic character of attending a four-year college. She left home at actress and comedienne Marla 18 with only her jeans and a T-shirt and she never Gibbs landed the unforgettable looked back. While attending Chabot Community role of Florence in the ground College she met The late Professor Frank Sumares. breaking CBS comedy, The Jeffersons (1975). He saw great talent in Ledisi as a vocalist and This led to her very own sitcom, 227 (1985). But asked her to sing with the Chabot Jazz Orchestra. before all of this, Marla appeared in several films She eventually dropped out of college to pursue including the cult favorite Black Belt Jones. Her her career as a performer, just like her mother. many film and television credits include Meteor After performing around the Bay area in local Man, Foolish, The Brothers, The Visit, House Of groups, Ledisi decided to start her own band using Pain, Southland, The Ties That Bound, Menu For her middle name Anibade. Shortly afterward, she Murder, The Hughleys, Cold Case, Lily In Winter, co-founded LeSun Music , with musical partner, A Different World and In The Heat Of The Night just Sundra Manning. In 2004, Ledisi moved to New to name a few. And there is no stopping the great York to understudy in the Broadway musical Marla. She is currently co-starring in the upcoming “Caroline Or Change” and also had a role written Tyler Perry movie, Madea’s Witness Protection for her in the Broadway hit, “The Color Purple.”. and the new sitcom, The First Family. Marla has Her 2007 debut album, Lost & Found, brought her been nominated for the coveted Emmy award 5 critical acclaim and two Grammy nominations, times and has won 8 NAACP Image Awards. She one of which was for Best New Artist along with has also lent her voice to the animated TV series, Taylor Swift, Paramore, Feist and eventual winner, 101 Dalmatians: The Series. In addition to acting, Amy Winehouse. After six albums, countless she sang the theme song to the film Stanley’s Gig guest appearances on recordings and television, a and has recorded her own cd of music entitled featured role in the George Clooney motion picture, “It’s Never Too Late” in 2006. From 1981 to “Leatherheads” and partnering with Essence 1999 Marla owned and operated Marla’s Memory Magazine to publish her interactive motivational Lane, a jazz and supper club. Marla Gibbs: “An biography, Better Than Alright - Finding Peace, American Treasure. Marla recently guest starred Love & Power, Ledisi’s star continues to rise. She on the hit shows, “Scandal”, “Black-ish” and “The has been a frequent performer and guest at the Carmichael Show. You’re all in for a rare treat this White House and has played an active role in the evening, so sit back and enjoy! reelection campaign of President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden, highlighted by her Ledisi (“Pepsi”) electrifying performance at the 2012 Democratic Nine-time Grammy® nominated NationalConvention. Ledisi is also an educator, singer, songwriter, producer, mentor and motivational speaker. She wrote a Book actress, author, educator, and entitled “Better Than Alright: Finding Peace Love activist; Ledisi is already trail- Power” In 2011, Ledisi was selected by First Lady blazing her way to becoming Michelle Obama to participate in the White House one of the most loved and mentoring program for teenage girls. She was cited influential entertainers of her generation. Born by the First Lady, as “an example of someone who in New Orleans, Louisiana but raised in Oakland, through hard work and perseverance, overcame California, Ledisi was exposed early on, to the difficult challenges to achieve her goals”. Ledisi is concept of blending genres of music including an advocate for rights of people who create music. jazz, R&B, gospel and rock. She spent a lot of She is a Governor for The National Academy of her time dreaming to be a singer like her mother Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) in the San NyDy, a local singer at night and a legal secretary Francisco Chapter and Advisory Board Member by day. NyDy groomed Ledisi’s gift by enrolling of Hiphopsisters Network, founded by legendary her in many school music programs. By the time rapper, MC Lyte. Ledisi has done a lot, but realizes Ledisi turned eight, she was singing with the there is so much more to do . New Orleans Symphony Orchestra, playing the Kenny Lattimore label SincereSoul Records. His hit single “Find (“Calvin”) International A Way” is available now and steadily climbing R&B singer, Kenny the R&B charts. Kenny has just returned from a Lattimore embodies the SOLD OUT South Africa concert tour (Dec 2012) elements of traditional R&B and is excited to set ablaze the theatrical stage with a decidedly contemporary once more in Don B. Welch’s “The First Lady flare and feel. He has established Of Zion” As the Washington Post has declared himself as a soulful song stylist of the first order Kenny Lattimore “a new master of the new soul”, receiving the NAACP Image Award for Best Kenny remains committed to making expressive New Artist, and nominations for the Grammy, and enduring music that gives him the freedom to Soul Train and Stellar Awards.