The Amen Corner

            
             "The Amen Corner," written by James Baldwin who was born and raised in Harlem and set his play there. The story revolves around Sister Margaret,a self-anointed, self-righteous preacher who encourages her Harlem church congregants to trust in the Lord at all times no matter what tragedy should befall them.
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             As in any congregation, politics rears its ugly head. Some want Margaret to remain. Others want her to give up the pulpit. When "sinner" Ida Jackson comes to Sister Margaret after Ida's infant dies, the advice once more, is to trust in the Lord.
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             The action comes to a head when the preacher's alcoholic jazz musician husband, Luke, shows up. He is sick and dying, yet their son, David wants to follow in his long-absent father's footsteps. .
             David wants to delagate his piano playing occupation in the storefront church to someone else in order to pursue his dreams with his father. Of course this is entirely antagonistic to his mother's wishes.
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             The story flows back and forth between the church and the apartment, with church services and some gospel music interspersed. Stong voices are needed to make this play work. .
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             The piece is well written, so it is up to the actors and director to keep up the pace and energy of the play in order to focus the attention on the show.
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