Spotlight
The Harvey Girls: From Childhood to Present
By Genevieve Mellott
Swift Creek Mill Theatre is premiering a new Gospel musical by Producing Artistic Director Tom Width entitled Those Harvey Girls in the 2014-2015 Swift Creek Mill Mainstage Season. Successful singer and Gospel music legend, buy cialis Cora Harvey Armstrong and her sisters, Virginia Harvey Young (Bee Bee) and Clara Harvey Jackson (Callue) present their personal, musical journey in this powerful new work. Cora previously played Mahalia Jackson at Swift Creek Mill, and Tom Width wrote and produced a show several years ago about her life entitled Livin’ In The Light that was very successful.
This project is the culmination of years of mutual respect and admiration between Tom and Ms. Armstrong and her family. Having spent time with the family over time, he uncovered the fascinating story of their experiences growing up singing in Virginia. For some time, Tom contemplated another musical featuring Cora and her sisters, who were known as The Harvey Girls when their “Mama” took them around to sing in churches at the tender ages of 6, 4, and 3! They are still singing together, and their sound is amazing. This show features the three women, along with younger “versions” of themselves, as it tells the story of their musical lives from childhood to the present.
Swift Creek Mill is presenting the show as a celebration of Black History Month and as part of Richmond’s Acts of Faith Theatre Festival. This is a full-length, reserved-seating production packed with songs as wonderful and varied as: “Oh, Happy Day,” “Praise His Name,” “I’ve Got to Praise Him,” “Midnight Train to Georgia,” and many other favorites. It is a must-see for any music lover!
Swift Creek Mill Theatre is a professional live theatre located in southern Chesterfield County. Housed in a 351-year-old gristmill that is a local, state and national landmark, the Mill has been serving Central- and Southside Virginia audiences, as well as local and tour groups, for over 49 years. After a major renovation in 2013, the facility is now ADA accessible, and as always, offers free onsite parking. Optional Virginia-Style Buffet dining is available before every Mainstage performance (reservations required). Performances of Those Harvey Girls run January 29 through March 7, which will include evening performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., with matinee performances on select dates at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 804-748-5203 and at swiftcreekmill.com.
