The Paramount Theatre will turn into a gospel hall on Sunday afternoon.
The touring musical "Mahalia" will come to Anderson this weekend. The show will document the life of famed entertainer and civil rights activist Mahalia Jackson, chronicling her rise over several decades from singing in small Baptist churches to performing in front of European royalty.
"Mahalia Jackson was not very educated, but was a very professional, businesslike woman," said Cherisse Scott, who will be starring in the title role. "It's an honor being able to give respect to her music and how she sang."
Jackson grew up as the grandchild of plantation slaves and worked as a cleaning lady in her early teens. She got her musical start when she went to Chicago at the age of 16, with intentions of studying nursing.
During her career she recorded more than 30 albums, 12 of which went gold. In her early years she performed for mostly black audiences, but after World War II white audiences began taking notice. She eventually earned her own radio show, national tours and a recording contract with Columbia.
But she never forgot where she came from, performing at Civil Rights rallies through the south in the 1950s and 1960s. The show touches on her involvement with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who will be played by Monroe Kent III.
"She laid the pathway for others to be able to do what I do," Scott said.
Jackson's rhythms were influenced by jazz artists of her day and she gained notoriety for revolutionizing gospel music. Scott, who once sang in a church choir, related to some of the criticism Jackson received.
"She experienced some of the same battles I've had in trying to state what is truly the proper way to praise God," she said. "She was just trying to do what the Bible said. People wanted her to take Jesus' name out of her songs. She was trying to be successful without compromising her integrity."
Scott said she enjoyed learning about Mahalia as a real person.
"It was interesting to find out that she was a stickler with her money," she said. "But I also enjoyed studying her music, asking questions about her and finding out how her relationship with God affected her."
The show begins at 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 for orchestra and mezzanine seats, and $10 for main and upper balcony seats. They can be ordered at 1-800-523-2456. The Paramount Theatre is located at 1124 Meridian St. in Anderson.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
