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Born For This: The BeBe Winans Story

Posted July 27, 2016 by qotsm in Arts & Entertainment

“For me, it’s been a therapeutic and sometimes terrifying experience because…it’s my life. Every emotion there is, from tears to laughter to chills.”

BeBe Winans

“Born For This: The BeBe Winans Story”, is a brand new musical stage play that will truly take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. It will have you laughing one minute, crying the next, then on the edge of your seat with anticipation of what’s to come after that.

This dramatic autobiographical snapshot into the real lives of the legendary first family of gospel, headed by Mom and Pop (Delores and David) Winans of Detroit, Michigan, chronicles the rise of Benjamin “BeBe” and Priscilla “CeCe” Winans. They are the seventh and eighth born of ten children in the Winans clan.

lores_bornforthis_02_new“Born For This” gives us a first hand, inside look at familial love, sibling rivalry, fame, conflict, joy, loss, fear, and resolution all within the two hour production conceptualized and written by BeBe ten years ago. He says the idea came from a conversation he had with singer-songwriter Roberta Flack, who asked him “So when are you going to write that musical about your family?” BeBe said “It was weird. Where was this coming from? I thought she must not be taking her medication!”

Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, who also directed the Broadway hit “Motown the Musical”, “Born For This” features an original script, with music and lyrics by BeBe Winans himself. Brilliantly portrayed by real life siblings Juan and Deborah Joy Winans, who are the children of Carvin Winans, of The Winans gospel group, the play follows the pair to Pineville, South Carolina. That’s where the Praise the Lord (PTL) TV studio of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker was located. As unlikely as it seems, that’s who actually gave them their start back in the ‘80’s on their show as PTL singers. The brother and sister were soon breakout stars, and left to pursue a gospel career as the duo BeBe and CeCe.

Having first hand insight into their aunt and uncle’s life from an early age, obviously gave both Juan and Deborah Joy just what it took to bring this story to life. Juan Winans as BeBe Winans is truly phenomenal. A Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter himself, Juan Winans is definitely following in his uncle BeBe’s footsteps. His portrayal of BeBe undoubtedly made his uncle proud, with chilling showstoppers such as the title song, “Born For This.” “Basically, Juan thought he was me. Even as a kid, he was with me a lot. He mimics me so much”, says BeBe, “The parallels are amazing.”

As for Deborah Joy, he says “She knew from birth that she was going to be an actress. We would almost laugh at Joy about that. She was so determined she was not going to sing.” Well, thank God she did because there are times during the play, that if you close your eyes, you would swear you were hearing CeCe herself up there. Deborah Joy Winans is delightful to watch as well as listen to. She has that unmistakable Winans face like her aunt CeCe, and sings with the same passion and purpose. Having earned a degree in theater, she is currently starring alongside Oprah Winfrey and Lynn Whitfield in “Greenleaf”, a dramatic television series about the first family of a prosperous mega church currently airing on the Oprah Winfrey Network, OWN.

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“Born For This” features a stellar cast, with each and everyone in the production bringing the awesome vocals and impeccable acting skills necessary to bring to life this amazing story about faith over fame, and family over fortune.

Kiandra Richardson delivers a powerful portrayal of Whitney Houston, with astounding vocals and a physical likeness that literally gives chills when she sings “Applause” telling BeBe and CeCe not to live for the applause and fame.

Kirsten Wyatt gives a show stealing, over the top, hilarious caricature of Tammy Faye Bakker. Chaz Pofahl plays Jim Bakker, founder and star of PTL, with the same “come-to-Jesus” hysterics and larger than life portrayal as Wyatt’s Tammy Faye.

Mom Winans is played by Nita Whitaker, who had the audience in the palm of her hand with her powerful rendition of “Seventh Son”.

Milton Craig Nealy is Pop Winans. Nealy is convincing as the no nonsense patriarch who’s seasoned voice commanded attention with “I Got a New Home.”

Dyllon Burnside, Desmond Sean Ellington, Brad Raymond, and Michael Stiggers portray the Winans brothers, who consistently add to the nuance of the story, by singing and dancing the soundtrack to BeBe and CeCe’s life story from the beginning to the end of the musical.

There are 29 songs in “Born for This”, and although it is a two hour long show with a twenty minute intermission, it still leaves you wanting more. “Book of Life” closed the show with a full on foot-stomping, hand-clapping church revival style finale, that truly brought the house down. “Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story” is a “don’t miss” family friendly celebration for everyone from nine to ninety-nine.

Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story, plays through August 28, 2016 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater – 1101 Sixth Street, SW, in Washington, DC. For tickets, call 202-488-3300, or purchase them online. Please, Don’t Miss It!

Darryl Rembert


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