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Inspirational A Cappella Tribute

Jubilee

  • Credits

    Written and Directed by
    Tazewell Thompson

    Vocal Arrangements and
    Music Direction
    Dianne Adams McDowell

  • Location

    The Kreeger Theater

“[Thompson] is a known showman with a gift for theatricality.”

– Washington Post

Jubilee is generously sponsored by
Exelon   Altria   AARP    Comcast
Andrew R. Ammerman; R. Lucia Riddle; Dr. Donald Wallace Jones, Dr. Betty Jean Tolbert Jones and Tracey Tolbert Jones

The world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers shattered racial barriers in the U.S. and abroad, entertaining kings and queens. For centuries, the bold a cappella African American ensemble born on the campus of Fisk University has blended their rich voices together sharing a heritage of suffering, strength and endurance. “A known showman” with a “gift for stirring theatricality” (Washington Post), playwright and director Tazewell Thompson brings an innovative and heart-stirring score to life in this world premiere. With uplifting spirituals and hymns including “Wade in the Water,” “Ain’t That Good News,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” this a cappella performance with more than three dozen songs is sure to ignite audiences.

Jubilee runs approximately two hours and 25 minutes with one intermission.

Cast

SHALEAH ADKISSON

Mabel Lewis / Dance Captain

LISA ARRINDELL

Ella Sheppard

JOY JONES

Jennie Jackson

ZONYA LOVE

Georgia Gordon

SEAN-MAURICE LYNCH

Frederick Loudin

V. SAVOY MCILWAIN

Thomas Rutling

BRITTANI McNEILL

Understudy

MARY MILLBEN

Understudy

AUNDI MARIE MOORE

Maggie Porter

SIMONE PAULWELL

America Robinson

TRAVIS PRATT

Isaac Dickerson

KATHERINE ALEXIS THOMAS

Minnie Tate

BEN TOOMER

Understudy

BUEKA UWEMEDIMO

Greene Evans

GREG WATKINS

Benjamin Holmes

CHRIS WHITE

Understudy

JAYSEN WRIGHT

Edmund Watkins

Creative

TAZEWELL THOMPSON

Playwright and Director

DIANNE ADAMS MCDOWELL

Vocal Arrangements and Music Direction

DONALD EASTMAN

Set Designer

MERRILY MURRAY-WALSH

Costume Designer

ROBERT WIERZEL

Lighting Designer

FABIAN OBISPO

Sound Designer

SHAWN DUAN

Projection Designer

ANNE NESMITH

Wig Designer

RON PIRETTI

Fight Director

N. THOMAS PEDERSEN

Assistant Music Director

KURT HALL

Stage Manager

MARNE ANDERSON

Assistant Stage Manager

Multimedia

Now playing at Arena Stage
See what audiences are saying
Behind the scenes rehearsal
In rehearsal with the cast
Photo of the cast of Jubilee by Margot Schulman.
Photo of the cast of Jubilee by Margot Schulman.
Photo of the cast of Jubilee by Margot Schulman.
Photo of the cast of Jubilee by Margot Schulman.
Photo of the cast of Jubilee by Margot Schulman.
Photo of the cast of Jubilee by Margot Schulman.
Photo of the cast of Jubilee by Margot Schulman.

In The News

Pacific Standard

How the Fisk Jubilee Singers became an international sensation

The Oklahoman

Oklahoma native, Mary Millben, appears in world premiere production at Arena Stage

DC METRO THEATER ARTS

Sean-Maurice Lynch takes on Jubilee at Arena Stage 

Radio Sputnik

Jubilee Celebrates the World-Renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers

WEAA

Aundi Marie Moore talks Jubilee

Great Day Washington - WUSA9

Aundi Marie Moore and Bueka Uwemedimo discuss Jubilee, running through June 9

Washington Post

Jubilee makes a star of the chorus at Arena Stage

WHUR

Lisa Arrindell and Bueka Uwemedimo discuss inspiration behind Jubilee

Broadway World

Zonya Love talks Jubilee and her life in the theater

Broadway World

Inside Arena Stage's American Voice Award Celebration

Woman Around Town

Katherine Alexis Thomas shares her journey to Jubilee

Washington Blade

Out actor/singer finds meaning in Jubilee

WJLA - Good Morning Washington

A capella at its best with Arena Stage's Jubilee

Fox5 - Good Day DC

Cast discusses Jubilee world premiere

Broadway World

Full cast and creative team announced for Jubilee

Washington Post

Arena Stage looks into history for inspiration in 2018/19 season

American Theatre Magazine

Arena’s 2018-19 Season to Feature New Tom Kitt/Nell Benjamin Musical

Playbill

The 69th lineup at the Washington, D.C. venue will also include the a cappella musical Jubilee and Junk.

Accessible Performances

Audio Described
Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. purchase

Open Captioned
Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. purchase
Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. purchase
Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. purchase

Closed Captioning
GalaPro begins May 3. Learn more about GalaPro

Events

Post-Show Discussions
Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.

Program PDF

Jubilee program