You’ll never think of gospel music the same way after hearing Godless Gospel — and the group is coming your way!
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is delighted to announce that its myth-dispelling ensemble, “Godless Gospel,” will perform in New York City on Monday, June 24, and Tuesday, June 25, at Theatre 555, 555 W. 42nd St. The opening act will be “Very Funny Lady” Leighann Lord, a well-known standup comedian and New York freethinker.
Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. both nights for the provocative show produced by FFRF Co-President Dan Barker and directed by former gospel artist Andre Forbes. Because the theater only seats 160, please register for Monday’s performance here, or Tuesday’s performance here. The cover charge is a suggested donation of $20. Register today — and please tell your friends and family.
Singers include Tahira Clayton, a well-known New York City jazz singer who has her roots in gospel; Candace Gorham, author of The Ebony Exodus Project; Heather Kinley, a country artist; Cynthia McDonald, a Freedmen of Chicago activist; DeAngela Morant, a businesswoman; Steven Phelps, with the Nashville Sunday Assembly; and Mandisa Thomas, president and founder of Black Nonbelievers.
Godless Gospel has performed at FFRF’s 2022 and 2023 national conventions to great acclaim. Songs are by Barker, who as a former evangelist had a musical ministry, and Forbes, a former gospel director, performer and composer. Songs include “Joy to the World,” “Let’s All Give Thanks,” “Never Be Ashamed,” “I Don’t Need Jesus,” “Life is Good!”, “I Believe in Honesty,” and “The Natural World,” which starts:
The natural world, The natural world
Is all that I can see.
The natural world, The natural world
Is good enough for me.
Musicians include Andre Forbes on keyboard, Charles Wilson on drums, Amos Perry on bass and Aaron Hill on B3 organ. Barker and FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor will be on hand to greet audience members.
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness Godless Gospel off-Broadway. Register for Monday’s performance here, or Tuesday’s performance here.
FFRF warmly thanks FFRF Member Eric Krebs, longtime off-Broadway and Broadway producer, for his generous offer to use the theater space. The suggested donation will help offset some of the costs related to expenses for musicians, equipment rental, flights and accommodations, and help FFRF keep taking Godless Gospel on the road. Look for future news on the Godless Gospel album release!
P.S. If you’re looking for other theatrical performances that week, Eric Krebs is directing a limited-engagement play at Theater 555, “Just Another Day,” which is running Saturday night, June 22, and also has a matinee on Wednesday, June 26.
