The Savannah Community Theatre presents the musical “Hands of the Spirit” at the Trustees Theatre at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. Additionally, a school performance will be held at 9:45 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12.
The play is a 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. It 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 also will be a folk art exhibit featuring works by J. B. Murray and other folk artists at the Beach Institute at 502 E. Harris St. following Saturday’s performance. Tickets to the exhibit and the champagne reception are available at the door for $10. Reservations for the reception are suggested and can be made by calling 912-247-4644.
Dr. William Rawlings of Sandersville, Ga., who treated Murray and is a principle character in the musical, will be at the performances, as will Mary Padgelek, the show’s author. The musical is based on Padgelek’s book, “In the Hands of the Holy Spirit: The Visionary Work of J.B. Murray.”
Tickets to the musical cost $16.50-$36.50. For reservations or information, call the Savannah box office at 912-525-5050, go to http://tickets.savannahboxoffice.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=188 or go to savannahcommunitytheatre.com.