Rehearsals are in full swing as a cast of about two dozen of the finest African-American performing artists puts the finishing touches on two Broadway-style revues they will stage on Saturday, Oct. 20, at St. James Presbyterian Church as a fundraiser to help repair and preserve the Harlem landmark.
With two showings of “Jammin’ In Harlem”–at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.–the performers are literally answering the prayers of a cash-strapped congregation that has been hard-pressed to keep up with the cost of long-overdue repairs to the neo-Gothic structure, nestled at the corner of 141st Street and St. Nicholas Avenue.
“We’re looking to raise enough money to help the church tackle some of its most urgent preservation issues,” said Linda Twine, music director for the production. “St. James has been, and continues to be, a vital institution in the Harlem community, and it has a very special place in the hearts of the arts community as well.”
Twine, a noted composer, conductor and arranger with an impressive list of Broadway hits to her credit as music director, is teaming up with Tony Award-winning choreographer and director George Faison for the fund-raising event. At their invitation, a veritable who’s who of African-Americans in the performing arts “has come together for this purpose,” said Twine. “Of course, we’re all about doing good, but we also want to do well with our mission to raise funds.”
Home to one of the oldest African-American congregations in the city–117 years and counting–St. James also has been at the epicenter of Black cultural expression and development locally, nationally and internationally. The Harlem School of the Arts, adjacent to St. James, started out in the church’s basement as an outreach program for talented neighborhood children who had neither formal education in the arts nor access to instruments and mentors.
A top-flight troupe of African-American Broadway stars, including a few “surprise” performers, will have St. James rocking with their rollicking revue. Spirituals, opera, vaudeville, blues, jazz, pop, tap dance and show stopping torch songs from Black Broadway musicals are all on the thrilling program, a timeline of the African-American cultural experience.
Tickets for general seating (there’s not a bad seat in the house!) are $40. Group rates are available. Call 212-470-9837 or visit www.jaminharlem.com. St. James Presbyterian Church is located at 409 W. 141st St., at St. Nicholas Avenue.
“Jammin’ in Harlem” is presented by the Men of St. James and is proudly supported by the New York Amsterdam News.