Talks

Director Lee Breuer, composer Bob Telson, and former member of the Blind Boys of Alabama Sam Butler join BAM Executive Producer Joseph V. Melillo for an insightful, expansive conversation about The Gospel at Colonus. This spectacular gospel musical—which had its premiere at the BAM Harvey Theater as part of the inaugural Next Wave Festival in 1983—transports the story of Oedipus at Colonus to an African-American Pentecostal church service. The Gospel at Colonus is being revived by The Public Theater and the Onassis Foundation USA at the Delacorte in September, with Oedipus being performed by the current lineup of the Blind Boys of Alabama.

After the discussion, join us for a screening of The Book of Clarence, a documentary essay about the life of legendary blind gospel singer Clarence Fountain. Fountain was a founding member of the Blind Boys of Alabama and led the group for 60 years. Together they originated the role as the musical manifestation of Oedipus in the original production of The Gospel at Colonus.