"Hands of the Spirit" a musical

"Hands of the Spirit" a musical “Hands of the Spirit”, a musical, is the story of visionary artist J.B. Murray, an illiterate farm worker who became an artist of international acclaim.

4TH PRODUCTION OF “Hands of The Spirit”
THIS DECEMBER AT THE TRUSTEES THEATRE

December 11-12, 2011
8:00 PM Saturday - 3:00 PM Sunday Matinee
9:15 AM Monday – Special School Performance
Trustees Theatre, 216 East Broughton St. Savannah, GA 31401


For more information or to charge tickets call 912-247-4644
Tuesday-Saturday 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

04/05/2013

APRIL, 2013 PERFORMANCES OF HANDS OF THE SPIRIT
Let the Spirit Move You!
Back by popular demand this April

Hands Of The Spirit
-A true story of an illiterate farm worker from rural Georgia who became an artist of international acclaim.

Thursday April 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday April 20 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday April 21 at 3:00 p.m.

About the show:
Hands of the Spirit is a fascinating true story based on the life of the late African-American visionary artist J. B. Murray, an illiterate farm worker who became an artist of international acclaim.

This musical is based on a book, “In The Hands of the Holy Spirit: The Visionary Work of J. B. Murray,” written by Mary Padgelek, who was named Georgia Author of the Year in the biography category in 2000.
J. B. Murray lived a simple life in a town just outside Sandersville. In 1978, he said he had a vision and the Holy Spirit appeared and told him to paint paintings and write two books. “Murray was illiterate and couldn’t read or write,” Coleman said. “He said the Holy Spirit told him to paint what is in Hell, so he began to paint on boards, sticks and rocks.”
Hands of the Spirit is a moving and uplifting tale of a seemingly ordinary man who is called to do extraordinary tasks beyond his capabilities.

Tickets:
General Admission $20; limited seating available
Performances held at the Muse Arts Warehouse (703 Louisville Road, Savannah, GA)
Call 912-247-4644 for reservations or more information

11/18/2011

(SAVANNAH, GA ) The Savannah Community Theatre presents the musical "Hands of the Spirit" at the Trustees Theatre Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. Additionally, a school performance will be held Monday, Dec. 12 at 9:45 a.m.

The play is a fascinating true story based on the life of the late African-American visionary artist J.B. Murray, an illiterate farm worker who became an artist of international acclaim. It follows Murray from his initial "vision" which led him to paint to his time spent in a psychiatric institution, and follows his rise to international acclaim until his death in 1988.

The musical will include local gospel choir members from First Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church and a dance troupe led by choreographer Stephanie Davis.

There will also be a Folk Art exhibit featuring works by J.B. Murray and other Folk Artists at the Beach Institute located at 502 E. Harris St. following Saturday's performance. Tickets to the exhibit and champagne reception are available at the door for a $10 charge. Reservations for the reception are suggested and can be made by calling: 912-247-4677. Dr. William Rawlings of Sandersville, GA. who treated Murray and is a principle character in the musical, will be present at the performances, along with Mary Padgelek, the show's author.

The musical is based upon Padgelek's book, "In the Hands of the Holy Spirit: The Visionary Art of J.B. Murray."

Tickets are $16.50 to $36.50. For reservations, call The Savannah Box Office at: 912-525-5050 or visit savannahcommunitytheatre.com for more information.

09/30/2011

THE MUSICAL:
HANDS OF THE SPIRIT

For his family and community of Mitchell, Georgia, J.B. was like a fire from heaven coming in the midst of their quiet, small town life. To the world of art, he was a reminder of the joy and passion of creation for a cause beyond himself. He stirred anger and he stirred resentment. He stirred up a new belief in miracles as his community and family watched his art and its message being transported to places far beyond the small rural Georgia town. Those from the world of art were stirred by the power of his marks created from passion and vision. Hands of the Spirit is a musical about one man's following his vision with courage and how his fervency and conviction disrupted and changed everyone around him.

Hands of the Spirit is based upon the true story of J.B. Murray, who had a vision in his early 70’s and began painting and drawing marks on anything at hand that he believed the Holy Spirit led him to create. These marks were soon to be appreciated as art and today his work is included in museum collections all over the world.

09/30/2011

Quotes about “Hands of the Spirit”

“I think there are several messages in this thought provoking musical “Hands of the Spirit”. However, the main one that sticks out to me is that one should have the courage to follow his/her heart as he/she feels the Holy Spirit leading. Sometimes that may not be so easy to do.
The character that I play is Samuel, JB’s son and Sara’s father. He is an interesting character, to say the least. Throughout the musical he tries to balance his self ‘righteousness’ with contempt for his father’s visions and impressions and love for his daughter. He goes to almost any extent to prove that he is ‘somebody’. This chip on his shoulder eventually goes away when he realizes who he truly is through his father’s success. Many folks can probably relate to this character. Though it was a challenge at first, I enjoyed playing Samuel.”

Eric Johnson

An uneducated man of meager means and personal drive finds himself called by God to reach out to the world to try and bring people back to God. Through simple faith and acceptance of God’s will, J.B. Murray found himself being used by God in strange and mysterious ways. With no formal training he rose to international fame for his folk art and writing. Known to the community as a "strange" character and ostracized by his own son, J. B. seeks comfort in the fact that his message was the right message. Hands of the Spirit touches the hearts of the audience with a simple story of faith, a man’s vision and a family reunited. Simply sung melodies and spirited choral presentations weave together the story of one man whose message of salvation reached the world.

Lee Browder, Arts Administrator
Athens/Clarke County

09/30/2011

Sparse musical tells artist's tale passionately
PLAY REVIEW
By BLAKE DANIEL
Published , October 18, 2004, 06:00:01 AM EDT


At one point in "Hands of the Spirit," a character describes the lead character's paintings, saying, "There's a purity and a passion that comes from his believing."

He also could be referring to the play itself.

"Hands of the Spirit" is a musical currently being performed by the Athens Creative Theatre, a community theatre featuring amateur actors from in and around Athens.

"Hands of the Spirit" tells the true story of J.B. Murray, an elderly and illiterate farmer from rural Georgia, whose simple life contrasts his idealistic persona.

Things change when Murray suddenly begins painting and preaching with a newfound passion.

He claims he was called by God to be used by the Holy Spirit to paint. The paintings show people "living like God don't exist," and his art grows to international recognition.

Sandy Martin, a professor of religion at the University, plays Murray naturally and realistically. The fact that Martin is not an accomplished actor -- he has performed in "a couple of 'amateur' plays," according to his program bio -- aids his portrayal of the unassuming farmer and artist.

Likewise, Ayeza Nxumalo, a student at Georgia Perimeter College, does a wonderful job as Murray's granddaughter Sara, expressing genuine sympathy as well as showcasing an amazing singing voice.

Other standouts are Scott Earle as Dr. Dirk Williams and Eric Johnson as Deacon Samuel. Both men have a tremendous stage presence and sing well.

The play as a whole is performed with the simplicity commonly found in community theatres. It seems inexpensively produced, and it is sometimes difficult to hear the dialogue in the vast foyer that is the performance hall. Costuming and props are sparse.

Some of the actors seem inexperienced, occasionally reading from scripts and stumbling over lines.

These are, however, the reasons I like it.

It turns out that "Hands of the Spirit" provides a much-needed vacation from the fast pace of college life. It focuses on substance, not style and is very effective.

I love it for its simplicity and earnest desire to succeed. The actors seem innocently devoted to the story, whose messages of perseverance in opposition as well as spiritual devotion are uplifting.
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The Red and Black Publishing CO., INC

09/30/2011

I was inspired from the moment I was introduced to the art and visionary experience of Murray, and felt his was a story that sang and danced! In creating the musical version of the artistic life of J.B. Murray, I have kept true to the factual story except for age changes of some of the characters, some added family dynamics. Some of the dialogue and songs are taken directly from the words of the actual characters. The names of the characters have been changed, except for J.B. I use dancers and a choir to convey J.B.’s abstract art and the visions that he claimed he saw which inspired his journey.

The first production of Hands of the Spirit was performed in October 2004 at Lyndon House Arts Center in Athens, Georgia...
09/30/2011

The first production of Hands of the Spirit was performed in October 2004 at Lyndon House Arts Center in Athens, Georgia.

JB and the Townspeople

JB, Sara, and Samuel in the 1st production of "Hands of the Spirit"
09/30/2011

JB, Sara, and Samuel in the 1st production of "Hands of the Spirit"

JB kneeling in the 1st production of "Hands of the Spirit"
09/30/2011

JB kneeling in the 1st production of "Hands of the Spirit"

Samuel in the 1st production of "Hands of the Spirit"
09/30/2011

Samuel in the 1st production of "Hands of the Spirit"

The second production was in September 2007 at The Morton Theatre, an historic theater in Athens, GA. JB and Sara from ...
09/30/2011

The second production was in September 2007 at The Morton Theatre, an historic theater in Athens, GA.
JB and Sara from the Athens Banner Herald

JB and Sara from the 2nd production of "Hands of the Spirit"
09/30/2011

JB and Sara from the 2nd production of "Hands of the Spirit"

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