WASHINGTON 鈥� These days, the Kreeger Theater at Arena Stage is full of people laughing, clapping, crying and singing along to the musical It’s a melodic telling of the journey to fame for the six-time Grammy winner with聽his sister, CeCe.
The two African-American Detroit natives 鈥� and the two youngest members of the gospel singing Winans family dynasty 鈥� turned the music world on its head as their songs turned up in unexpected places.
鈥淥ne of the things about me and my sister鈥檚 career: you heard us on pop radio, you heard us on jazz stations 鈥� it transcended,鈥� BeBe Winans told 草莓传媒 in an interview. 鈥淲herever people were who loved music, that鈥檚 where you heard us. It鈥檚 inspiring whether you鈥檝e been to church or not.鈥�
BeBe Winans is grateful for their success, and credits Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker for putting the close siblings on their television show, 鈥淭he Praise the Lord Club,” in the 1980s. BeBe and CeCe moved to North Carolina, and this coming-of-age production highlights the huge cultural changes the association brought to their lives.
鈥淛im and Tammy became our white parents,鈥� BeBe Winans remembered. 鈥淏ut they took a risk in putting us on television because there was such segregation inside of the church. So they received threats because of what they did, but they took a risk and knew it was important because there is no separation when it comes to God鈥檚 love.鈥�
The parts of BeBe and CeCe are played by their nephew Juan Winans and niece Deborah Joy Winans. Deborah tells 草莓传媒 that in doing this show, she learned a lot about her aunt and uncle鈥檚 lives.
鈥淚 started to realize the effect they had on music, on people 鈥� [and] I learned what it took for them to have that effect and all the things they went through in the 80s in North Carolina,鈥� Deborah Joy said.
鈥淚n the south, I dealt with racism, and I鈥檓 dealing with that same situation today,鈥� BeBe Winans said. 鈥淏ut I learned I could overcome hatred with love, and I learned a lot about not allowing racism to separate me. There鈥檚 always a choice in every situation.鈥�
One of the challenges for Deborah Joy has been singing the part of her virtuoso, big-voiced aunt CeCe, who can blow an audience out of their seats with her powerful instrument.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of singing. That was challenging for me because I didn鈥檛 sing much before, so this is really kind of honing that singing craft,鈥� Deborah Joy Winans said and added, 鈥淎nd trying to learn the things she does I can do. A lot of things she does I can鈥檛 do. CeCe is CeCe for a reason!鈥�
There are some stand out moments in this popular show: Kristen Wyatt鈥檚 Tammy Faye Bakker鈥檚 character cracks the audience up, and Kiandra Richardson as a young Whitney Houston draws gasps from the audience for the eerie accuracy of her voice and mannerisms.
BeBe Winans says this production is exciting because he believes the audience sees their lives on stage as well.
“That鈥檚 what we wanted to accomplish. Everyone has a purpose behind being here on the planet earth,鈥� he聽said.
Deborah Joy called “Born for This” a spiritual experience.
鈥淚t lets people walk away with a sense of purpose, picking up dreams they let go because they didn鈥檛 believe it could happen,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t gives you a sense of hope. You feel inspired to do something more.鈥�
“Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story,” runs through Aug. 28. Tickets are .
