Devine Glory Magazine Worshipper: Summer 2013 | Page 19

Submitted: Arthenius Jackson

“After tragically losing both parents, Dorothy set
her sights on the ‘Big City’ to become the music superstar
that she always knew she would be. Her dreams finally became tangible as she landed a job at the infamous Sunshine
Records. But assisting the ‘’World’s Meanest Boss,” being
upstaged by her Gospel Star Aunt Emily and a mishap in the
studio are just the beginning of her dream turned into a nightmare! Written and directed by Brian Forte’, and featuring
over a dozen original songs, original score, and show stopping dance numbers, “THE GOSPEL OF OZ” is sure to
make the whole family ‘shout on down’ the road!”

The Hartsville Center Theater was transformed into the Land
of Oz Sunday, February 13th for the production of “The Gospel of Oz,” directed by Hartsville’s very own Brian Forte’.
The show was originally planned to begin at 6 p.m., but due
to an overwhelming response of the production, tickets sold
out days before the performance day, and a 2 o’clock show
was added.
Hartsville’s native Brian Forte’ said, “This was a
seven year dream for me and others who helped with the
production of the ‘Gospel of Oz.’” The production had a similar theme and similar characters to the classical movie The
Wizard of Oz: Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Woman and Lion
all were in search of the Wiz to get help for their problems.
Dorothy was still trying to find her way home, Scarecrow
still needed a brain, Tin Woman needed a heart, and the Lion
still lacked courage.
The “Gospel of Oz’s” main theme was to encourage
its audience that whatever your dream is, you can achieve it.
It was heard in the theme song numerous times throughout
the play. “You can