Mama, I Want to Sing!
Encyclopedia
Mama, I Want to Sing! is an upcoming American musical film written and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, produced by Vision Films and CodeBlack Entertainment
, and distributed by 20th Century Fox
's Fox Faith
division. The film is an adaptation of the off-Broadway
gospel
stage musical of the same name, written and produced by Vy Higginsen and Ken Wydro.
The film is based on the life story of Doris Troy
, a preacher's daughter who sang in a church choir before being discovered by James Brown
. Doris Troy's niece, Knoelle, who has played the star role in the off-Broadway production, makes her film debut in the movie in a principal role.
One of the executive producers announced via Twitter
that the movie was completed in June 2009. The official movie trailer was released and premiered on September 22, 2009. It was set to premiere September 26, 2009 at the Urbanworld Film Festival
in New York
, but due to technical issues it was canceled. The film was also slated to premiere on July 23, 2010, at the Faith Film Festival
, but was also cancelled as well. In an October 2010 interview, Jeff Clanagan (CEO of Codeblack Entertainment
) announced that the film was set for a January 14, 2011 release. However, it was pulled from the 10-15 theaters it was scheduled for at the last minute, with no current release date.
), a beautiful and charismatic young singer, is on the verge of stardom. Raised in the church by her father, Reverend Dr. Kenneth Winter (Marvin Winans
) and mother, Lillian Winter (Lynn Whitfield
), Amara and her younger brother Luke (Kevin Phillips
) have a very strong bond. After her father's untimely death, her mother is thrust into the limelight in the role as preacher, a daring move that ultimately catapults her to the top of the gospel world. Paralleling her mother's success, Amara soon becomes a huge star in her own right, taking the R&B world by storm.
Conflict begins to ensue when her mother is confronted with, and unequivocally disapproves of, Amara's secular music and videos. Amara must learn to pursue her dreams while navigating the often treacherous world of celebrity and striving to remain true to herself and family. Amara and her mother must work through their differences realizing that their journeys are not quite so different after all.
auditioned for the role of Amara before CodeBlack Entertainment
offered the role to Ciara
. Vy Higginsen, the original playwright for the off-Broadway production of "Mama, I Want to Sing!", assisted Charles Randolph-Wright with the script. Shalyric Self was set to portray the younger version of Amara, but due to contract issues, she was replaced by Mariah Roberson.
CodeBlack Entertainment
Codeblack Entertainment is an American entertainment conglomerate founded and run by an African-American entrepreneur, Jeff Clanagan.Codeblack Entertainment is the first independent, vertically integrated African-American-owned film studio, actively engaged in the business of feature film...
, and distributed by 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
's Fox Faith
Fox Faith
Fox Faith is a brand of film studio Twentieth Century Fox targeting evangelical Christians. Established under Fox's video division, Fox Faith acquires independent Christian-themed films for theatrical and video release...
division. The film is an adaptation of the off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
stage musical of the same name, written and produced by Vy Higginsen and Ken Wydro.
The film is based on the life story of Doris Troy
Doris Troy
Doris Troy was an American R&B singer, known to her many fans as "Mama Soul".She was born as Doris Higginson in The Bronx, the daughter of a Barbadian Pentecostal minister. Her parents disapproved of "subversive" forms of music like rhythm & blues, so she cut her teeth singing in her father's choir...
, a preacher's daughter who sang in a church choir before being discovered by James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
. Doris Troy's niece, Knoelle, who has played the star role in the off-Broadway production, makes her film debut in the movie in a principal role.
One of the executive producers announced via Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
that the movie was completed in June 2009. The official movie trailer was released and premiered on September 22, 2009. It was set to premiere September 26, 2009 at the Urbanworld Film Festival
The Midwest Urban Film Festival
The Midwest Urban Film Festival takes place in the United States. The Film Festival is a for profit organization for the fund raising and development of independent film companies. Founded by Alex Thomas, creator of The Promoter Magazine, the festival’s goal it to become an international...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, but due to technical issues it was canceled. The film was also slated to premiere on July 23, 2010, at the Faith Film Festival
Faith Film Festival
Faith Film Festival is a motion picture television program on New Evangelization Television. The show features films that are about hope, saving the environment, and faith....
, but was also cancelled as well. In an October 2010 interview, Jeff Clanagan (CEO of Codeblack Entertainment
CodeBlack Entertainment
Codeblack Entertainment is an American entertainment conglomerate founded and run by an African-American entrepreneur, Jeff Clanagan.Codeblack Entertainment is the first independent, vertically integrated African-American-owned film studio, actively engaged in the business of feature film...
) announced that the film was set for a January 14, 2011 release. However, it was pulled from the 10-15 theaters it was scheduled for at the last minute, with no current release date.
Plot
Inspired by the hit off-Broadway play, Amara Winter (CiaraCiara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
), a beautiful and charismatic young singer, is on the verge of stardom. Raised in the church by her father, Reverend Dr. Kenneth Winter (Marvin Winans
Marvin Winans
Marvin Lawrence Winans is an American gospel singer and member of the musical Winans family. He is also known for his recurring role in the hit show Tyler Perry's House of Payne.-Personal life:...
) and mother, Lillian Winter (Lynn Whitfield
Lynn Whitfield
Lynn Whitfield is an American actress.Whitfield began her acting career in television and theatre, before progressing to supporting roles in film. She won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special and a NAACP Image Award for her performance as Josephine Baker in the...
), Amara and her younger brother Luke (Kevin Phillips
Kevin Phillips (actor)
Kevin Phillips is an American film actor, best known for his leading role in Suna Gonera’s Pride , as well as his role in 2009's Notorious....
) have a very strong bond. After her father's untimely death, her mother is thrust into the limelight in the role as preacher, a daring move that ultimately catapults her to the top of the gospel world. Paralleling her mother's success, Amara soon becomes a huge star in her own right, taking the R&B world by storm.
Conflict begins to ensue when her mother is confronted with, and unequivocally disapproves of, Amara's secular music and videos. Amara must learn to pursue her dreams while navigating the often treacherous world of celebrity and striving to remain true to herself and family. Amara and her mother must work through their differences realizing that their journeys are not quite so different after all.
Production
Tarralyn Ramsey and Paris BennettParis Bennett
Paris Ana'is Bennett is an American singer. She came to national recognition as a contestant on the fifth season of the reality television talent show, American Idol, finishing in fifth place...
auditioned for the role of Amara before CodeBlack Entertainment
CodeBlack Entertainment
Codeblack Entertainment is an American entertainment conglomerate founded and run by an African-American entrepreneur, Jeff Clanagan.Codeblack Entertainment is the first independent, vertically integrated African-American-owned film studio, actively engaged in the business of feature film...
offered the role to Ciara
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
. Vy Higginsen, the original playwright for the off-Broadway production of "Mama, I Want to Sing!", assisted Charles Randolph-Wright with the script. Shalyric Self was set to portray the younger version of Amara, but due to contract issues, she was replaced by Mariah Roberson.
Cast
- CiaraCiaraCiara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
as Amara Winter - Lynn WhitfieldLynn WhitfieldLynn Whitfield is an American actress.Whitfield began her acting career in television and theatre, before progressing to supporting roles in film. She won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special and a NAACP Image Award for her performance as Josephine Baker in the...
as Lillian Winter (Amara's Mother) - Marvin WinansMarvin WinansMarvin Lawrence Winans is an American gospel singer and member of the musical Winans family. He is also known for his recurring role in the hit show Tyler Perry's House of Payne.-Personal life:...
as Rev. Winter (Amara's Father) - Patti LaBellePatti LaBellePatricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
as Sister Carrie - Billy ZaneBilly ZaneWilliam George "Billy" Zane, Jr. is an American actor, producer and director. He is probably best known for his roles as Caledon Hockley in Titanic, The Phantom from The Phantom, John Wheeler in Twin Peaks and Mr...
as Dillan (Amara's Producer) - Hill HarperHill HarperFrancis Harper , known professionally as Hill Harper, is an American film, television and stage actor, and author. An alumnus of Harvard Law School, he is best known for his portrayal of Dr...
as Jeff Andrews (Amara's Manager) - Kim Porter as Tara
- Ben VereenBen VereenBen Vereen is an American actor, dancer, and singer who has appeared in numerous Broadway theatre shows. Vereen graduated from Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts.- Early years :...
as Horace Payne - Ava Santana as Dr. Winter's Assistant
- Kevin PhillipsKevin Phillips (actor)Kevin Phillips is an American film actor, best known for his leading role in Suna Gonera’s Pride , as well as his role in 2009's Notorious....
as Luke Winter (Amara's brother) - Alexandra CheronAlexandra CheronAlexandra Beauvoir Cheron Tavarez is haitian actress model, businesswoman and socialite.She was born in the Dominican Republic, her dad was a Financial accountant from Haiti and her mom a ambassador in the United States for the Dominican Republic...
as Kimberly - Juanita BynumJuanita BynumJuanita Bynum is an American Pentecostal televangelist, author, actress and gospel singer.-Early life:Juanita Bynum is one of 5 children, from the marriage of Elder Thomas Bynum Sr. and Katherine Bynum. She grew up in Chicago, and received a starring role in Perry Middle School's annual play, My...
as Beverly - Shonda Farr as Holly
- Mariah Roberson as Young Amara
- Courtney Shay Young as Amara's Wardrobe
- Geraldine Glenn as Still Photographer
- Marissa D'Onofrio as Sienna
- Gospel For Teens Choir
Songs
Mama I Want To Sing: The Soundtrack was released on January 18th, 2011.- Tug of War | Deitrick Haddon
- Walk Around Heaven | Patti LaBelle
- I Will | Paris Bennett
- Living Not in Vain | Fred Hammond feat. Smokie Norful
- Mama, I Want to Sing! | Kierra Kiki Sheard
- Be Grateful | Fred Hammond feat. Cynthia Simon
- U Got Me Through | 21:03 feat. J Moss
- For Me | B.R.I.G.G. feat. Eric Griggs
- I'm Gonna Serve the Lord | Johnny B. Williams
- Jus' 1 of Dem Days | Irocc Williams
- Sick-n-Tired | Karen Clark Sheard feat. Kierra Kiki Sheard
- Not Created to Fall | Desiree Coleman