Spiritual Uprising

Streaming through July 17 on WHYY

Following a special Juneteenth broadcast on WHYY-TV 12, Spiritual Uprising is now available to stream online via WHYY until July 17. Click here to watch!

Run time: 75 minutes
Best enjoyed by ages 10+

Extended by popular demand! The showstopping Zonya Love (Lights Out: Nat "King" Cole, Broadway’s The Color Purple) brings her forthcoming collection of reimagined Negro Spirituals to the People’s Light stage in this filmed concert event. The nationally acclaimed actor-musician leads her band through evocative new renditions of songs such as “Wade in the Water” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” while illustrating the music’s deep cultural and historical significance.

April 2-May 7, 2021 Conceived, written, arranged, and performed by Zonya Love STREAMING

Watch the Preview

Production Archive

Gallery

Zonya Love in SPIRITUAL UPRISING

Dionne McClain-Freeney, Helen White, Zonya Love, Senfu Stoney, and Crystal Joy in SPIRITUAL UPRISING

Zonya Love in SPIRITUAL UPRISING

Zonya Love (lead vocals), Crystal Joy and Helen White (supporting vocals) | Photo by Charles T. Brastow

Zonya Love in SPIRITUAL UPRISING | Photo by Charles T. Brastow

Filming SPIRITUAL UPRISING. L to R: Dionne McClain-Freeney (piano), Helen White (supporting vocals), Zonya Love (lead vocals) | Photo by Charles T. Brastow

Senfu Stoney in SPIRITUAL UPRISING | Photo by Charles T. Brastow

Zonya Love and Senfu Stoney in SPIRITUAL UPRISING

Crystal Joy in SPIRITUAL UPRISING

Helen White in SPIRITUAL UPRISING

Dionne McClain-Freeney in SPIRITUAL UPRISING

Senfu Stoney in SPIRITUAL UPRISING

Zonya Love and Helen White in SPIRITUAL UPRISING

Zonya Love in SPIRITUAL UPRISING

Cast and Creative Team

Creator / Music Supervisor / Performer

Music Director / Pianist / Supporting Vocalist

Crystal Joy

Supporting Vocalist

Senfu Stoney

Percussionist

Helen White

Supporting Vocalist

Artina Michelle

Director of Photography

Sergio Galeano

Editor / Camera Operator

Aaron Brokenbough

Camera Operator

Charles T. Brastow

Director of Production

Steve H. Broadnax III

Consulting Director

Kate Coots

Scenic Charge Artist

Brent Hoyer

Sound Design & Engineer

Dylan Jamison

Assistant Technical Director

Greg Miller

Lighting Designer

Jennifer Povish

Costumes

Joelle Phillips

Makeup

Sarah Pierce

Props

Discover More

About Negro Spirituals

See the Spiritual Uprising song list and hear from local expert Arreon Harley-Emerson about the cultural and regional significance of the genre.

Get the Scoop

The creative team takes a fascinating deep-dive into the history and meaning behind the music – and its enduring relevance in 2021.

For Educators

Spiritual Uprising is free for use in educational settings! Find video resources, a supplemental teaching guide, and more here.

"Soon I Will Be Done"

Zonya performs her new arrangement of a classic and discusses her inspiration. "Black people in America...are still fighting to BE."

Pre-Performance Guide

A detailed guide for viewers who want more information about what to expect before watching the performance.

More Info

Discounts

Theatre industry professionals, frontline healthcare workers, teachers, and military families can receive discounted access to digital titles. Click here for more information.

Accessibility

Digital streaming access to Spiritual Uprising includes optional closed captioning and audio description by Nicole Sardella. All accessibility options appear automatically in your People's Light online account as they become available.

Click here to read the pre-performance guide for Spiritual Uprising, which is similar to guides created for Relaxed Performances during our regular season.

Filmed and edited in partnership with PhillyCAM

Production Sponsor:

With additional support from The Connelly Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts

Photo: Charity De Meer