The Gospel at Colonus 

Still watching this play in 2023 one of the best Broadway shows ever made speaking of black excellent my mother loved it.

I saw this on PBS back in 1984. when it was next to impossible to record something on the fly. I have longed to see it again for decades.

In 1986 I stumbled on this play in Los Angeles. I was a junior Officer in the Marine Corps flying out of El Toro. I had gotten up in the early morning and drove to Big Bear to go skiing . I drove back near noon and went to the beach in Santa Monica. After an afternoon on the beach I drove through LA with no destination until a spotted a marquee that read The Gospel at Colonus. I thought it was simply a gospel show. This production, with this cast, set the end of the most perfect day in my life. I am 62 now . My heart is still filled with this production. Thank you..

I had the great privilege of seeing this exact cast of the Gospel at Colonus on Broadway New York City in 1988 . My wife my two sisters share this amazing memory of seeing the most Powerful play we’ve ever seen. They did 3 encores for us because we the audience went insane with such gratitude for what we just saw. In all my life Iv never heard such astounding voices. It was a great gift of the creator to bring this masterpiece of such amazing talent together. and for Morgan Freeman taking us through it till the very end ! While we were standby in Front Of the theater I turned and saw Morgan Freeman walking towards me it was surreal I reached out and shook his hand and said Do it up ! and he held my Hands in his and looked into my eyes and he said -- I will smiled and walked into the theater !! I’ll never forget that as long as I live!

I was the musical director of this show in Dallas, TX for a World-Renowned Actress' Musical Theatre. I loved this show.

Love love love this musical!!!! I know every word to every song 🥰 gives me chills. Every. Time.

THEY SHOULD DEFINITELY REVIVE THIS!!!!

Tupac sent me here, he said it was his absolute favorite to listen to

My dad song with the blind boys on this production rip dad joe watson

One of the most glorious theatrical undertakings I’ve ever seen. Just perfect.

Tupac referenced this as one of his greatest creative inspirations rolling stone interview with Chuck Phillips in 1993. Wow. Highly articulated humanity.

I saw this live in Philly over Annenberg on Penn’s campus. It was IMPRESSIVE. I remember Carl Lumbly, so distinctly handsome, and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama.

worked sound on this show at Brooklyn Academy of Music in 1983. It is one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The Steele Family Singers are truly wonderful.

Classic I never get tired of watching this marvelous body of redemptive work from a child at until now as 46 year old man. Peace and kingdom blessings to the entire cast ❣️

I saw this gospel musical in 1985 when it first aired on TV. It was featured on PBS "Great Performances."

I watch this now to see my grandmoms face i miss her so much.

I remember seeing this on channel 7 in Jacksonville Florida in 1986. I had a crush on The Lady that's singing lol.I finally saw this today. Now I know meaning of it. Praise The Lord. The Holy Ghost will convict you ❤

Best musical ever !!✨ Saw it live years ago - truly an amazing experience to see it live with an audience completely wrapped up with the performance.

I never imagined I’d find Greek tragedy set to soul music. Great story and live performance!

I have a vinyl of the original recording. One of the few vinyls I kept when transitioning to CDs. That is how much I treasure this music. Truly transcendent. Would love to see it performed in New Orleans.

This was the first time I ever saw Morgan Friedman and Others that went on to be Stars in televisions and movies

I watched this on TV in London, UK and I have never forgotten this phenomenal show!

Thank you for this video. My uncle played in the ensemble - John Hagen on sax, when he was only 35!

One of the greatest musical plays of ALL TIME!!!!! ALLLLLLLL TIMMMEEEE

I watch this again at least twice a year. An extraordinary production.

I saw this, as it was broadcasted on PBS. It meant something then. But in these troubling times, it takes on a new and deeper meaning with a new understanding. Love for one another is becoming much more elusive. This production is a reminder of the need to return to this simple concept.

I remember the gospel at colonus on DVD and on VHS and also on Spotify on my phone practicing the songs from the gospel at colonus

Saw it in LA.Transcends time and cultures.

This style, this type of singing is dying. Glad we have this

REMEMBER IT LIKE YESTERDAY...TEARS ARE STILL DRIPPING...

Just thought to google this. So glad I can watch it again after many years. I had this recorded on V HS and lost it through a tornado. One of my most favorite. 😊

I don't know why, but I watch this daily!

So many more plays should've been given this treatment. Schools should promote this and BET, PBS , and the OWNetwork should air it yearly. Start a NEW tradition❗

I never get tired of seeing this and hearing the glorious voices.

Basically how churchy folk explain Greek tragedy. Love this

This deserves recognition as a Truly American Masterpiece. A Classic. Saw the original PBS Great Performances broadcast in 84, videotaped it on VHS the next time they reran it, wore that tape out. Saw the original cast live performance on tour in San Francisco in the early 90s , was thrilled to see it available on DVD and here on YT. It's just as moving as it was 40 years ago, and seeing the reknown talents no longer with us moves me to tesrs as much as the stellar performances.

I watched this on PBS when it came out in the 70's. Clarence Fountain & the Blind Boys of Alabama, The Original Soul Stirrers, Morgan Freeman, OMG this was the best cast of singers and actors!!!!

This is a true tragedy, one of its kind 😢..deeper than deep!!! I was blessed to view this Greek play over 32 years ago with my family ❤❤❤

I been looking for this for years im so happy to find it 🙌 ☺ 😌 🤗

BEAUTIFULL!! LOVELY!! JUST AS I REMEMBERED IT! SAW IT WHEN IT WAS FIRST AIRED ON PBS!!! OUTSTANDING!!! IT PLAYED IN OAKLAND! BY THAT TIME ROSCOE LEE BROWNE TOOK MORGAN'S PLACE!

Clarence Fountain, who plays Oedipus, was the lead singer of the group, The Blind Boys of Alabama.

So glad to find this. Saw the play in Minneapolis a long time ago. Always loved watching the Steeles perform around town.

I saw this productions many years ago at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis . It always stands out as one of the most memorable theater experience of my lifetime. A combination of passion, music and a very real combination of modern American Music with very strong roots in African American Slavery music that has withstood the ages of time.

Thank you, Thank you and Thank you so much. I was TEN years old when this came out. I remember my family watched it on PBS and then my Mom purchased the VHS tapes (Rather expensive) and then gone to time. It had an enormous impact on me. This retelling allowed me to experience a Greek Myth through a Black American cultural lens, and appreciate the complexity and nuance of the text.

I love Ismenes song at 18:08. What a beautiful adaptation of scene 3 in the original play!!

I saw the show at BAM IN Brooklyn when it opened and it was amazing. I till can be brought to tears hearing it today 😢

Watching this again because it’s just that good.

Before there was #HamiltonMusical, there was #TheGospelatColonus. Briiliant. A powerful story of redemption and love!

Legendary!!!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Such beauty in song from the most tragic tale ever spun by the Greeks. If you have the Blues Gospel is the cure!

I don’t know how it happened but it became tradition in my family to watch this every Christmas. Jevetta Steele’s voice! The whole cast!

I had the great good fortune of seeing this same cast at the Doolittle theater in Los Angeles. My bravos were only out numbered by my tears. This is a true definition of great theater!!!!!!!!

I was brought here because a clip of "Do Not Go On" song went viral and I decided to check this out within context and I'm glad that I discovered this. Loved it

Seen some of the songs on RU-vid but this is the first time I've seen the entire production. The music and the singers, OMG! Don't even get me started on the brilliance of Morgan Freeman!

Recorded this one back in the 80’s on vhs and played it until it no longer worked. I thought of the last song and came on RU-vid to see if it possibly was uploaded. And to my amazement the entire play is here. Thank you for sharing!!! This was one of my favorites. Morgan Freeman took you to “chuch”.

SO SO glad to see this again!

This is a Sophocles's tragedy, Oedipus at Colonus but the spirit moves all over that place I enjoyed it as a child and I still love it

Saw it when it first came out. Must have seen it 10 ten times!!

I remember watching this program about forty years ago watch it twice in Duluth very moving

THIS is my most favorite performance of all! 💚♥️💚♥️👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Thank you so much! This is soo beautiful ✨♥️♥️♥️story of Oedipus.

Just excellence! Black Excellence!! This is what made me want to a public speaker or actor!

This is easily my favorite theatrical production of all time, for so many reasons, on so many levels. Robert Meagher introduced me to it in 2003 and I am forever grateful.

I saw this originally on PBS when it aired in the 80s. I had it on VHS which of course I can't find. Love, love , love the music. Awesome production.

Oh mercy me. What a wonderful treasure you have shared with us! Thank you so much! I'm going to sit with my Mom this Mother's day and watch this with her. She is in the late stage of Alzheimer's disease. We watched this as a family years ago and it always made her light up. I hope this will trigger a memory and she reacts to it. At this stage in Alzheimer's, every moment matters especially moments that cause her to light up. Thanks again.

I watched this ALL THROUGHOIT my childhood. I know EVERY song, facial expression, scene, and the HOLY GHOST happens to STILL HIT in the very same way! Myyyyyyy God, what memories, what an anointing on these lives! What an impact!

James earl Jones is one of my favorite actors of all time and his father Robert earl Jones

This fills me with joy, awe and wonder!!

Unforgettable So glad I found this again such a classic.

Ineffable and everlasting.

I had the album and played it often!

Morgan Freeman at his absolute best

So much soul in this.

John Darneils favorite thing of all time. I had to come see it and seek sanctuary.

Every time I see this my mind goes back to 1985, sitting in my living room with my sons watching this. At that time I never knew that I would come into personal contact with some of the stars of this production, through my radio ministry.

Love you Grandmom. Selene A. Jones ❤👼

Love this and the music

I remember my grandmother taping this on beta when it came on PBS and I watched it all the time. Really good play

Saw this twice - once on Broadway and once in DC - wept each time. "Numberless are the Wonders" may be the best song ever written.

Beautiful voices Jevetta Steele and her siblings.,Awesome singers🌷🌷🌷

Oedipus: Damned... Damned... Damned... (Googling "What happened on March 24, 1988" brought me here: the opening day of this musical.)

This was an all around grand production! Amazing! Simply amazing!

Saw this there times at the Guthrie inMinneapolis. Loved it..

Thank you! Just now discovered this on RU-vid although I’ve been listening to the music for decades. I first saw it live in Atlanta in the 80s an amazing tour de force of storytelling, drama, musicianship and composition. The performances are truly amazing and beyond that which words can express.💛🌞🎭

YES!!!!!!!! A classic piece!!!!

If I had money I'd pay everyone to reprise their roles live on stage for me. Sadly I never saw this most cherished play in person.

I grew up with this I know every word to every song still love it till this day it takes me to a wonderful place when I'm feeling down thank you for posting this

One of my favorite performances of all time. Brilliantly creative concept, brilliantly realized. Simply spectacular yet deep and nuanced performances. I watch it every few years, and pick my jaw up off the floor every time. Lord God it is good. Thank you and bless you for posting it.

This video helped me establish my style as an organist!! Butch Heyward was my teacher and he doesn't even know it!!

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful....................

morgan freeman absolutely makes this production

Oh Yes, Oh Yes This is a great case, a great book and a great performance by the original case. Saw it on PBS years ago. Many thanks for making it available for us on YT.

A real GEM, love this!!!!

Still watching in 2019😋

I lost my VHS copy and have been wondering all these years if I'd ever see this play again. I saw it at The Brooklyn Academy of Music and it was phenomenal! I still remember every song...I wish they would do this again.

I am amazed that a white composer had such deep appreciation and love for our Africana traditions that he cast an all-black ensemble❤

I remember James earl Jones was my favorite actor playing as mufasa in the lion king in 1994

I remember seeing this live in Philadelphia at least 3 times!! I love it!! And what a cast!! Morgan Freeman, Carl Lumbly, Robert Earl Jones, and the singers and musicians! I am so glad I found this as I had lost my tape and hadn't gotten a DVD yet!!

"A Voice Foretold," such harmonizing by non other Clarence Fountian and the five Blind Boys and Sam Butler. AMAZING!!!!

Love this👏😄👏