Danielle Brooks stars as Mahalia Jackson in Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia on Lifetime
Photo by Courtesy of Lifetime
Copyright 2020
Tony Award© nominee, SAG and Grammy Award winning actress Danielle Brooks (Orange is the New Black) stars asGospel legend Mahalia Jackson in the Lifetime Original Movie, Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia. The two hour biopic tells the story of the New Orleans born legendary Gospel singer and civil rights trailblazer (Jackson is credited with encouraging her friend Martin Luther King Jr. to “tell them about the dream” during his famous I Have A Dream speech).
The talented Brooks not only gives a wonderful performance in her portrayal of Mahalia Jackson, but uses her vocal chops and sings some of Jackson’s beloved gospel classics, like “Move On Up A Little Higher” in the film as Jackson goes from little known church singer to world-wide stardom. Through Brooks Jackson comes to life as a woman who fought for civil rights in her own way, stuck to her beliefs and principles, even when faced with discrimination, and fanned away lucrative offers to sing the blues and become something that wasn’t in her soul or aligned with her purpose.
Directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon and executive produced by Robin Roberts, the cast includes noteworthy Broadway actors Joaquina Kalukango (Slave Play), Olivia Washington (The Butler), Jason Dirden (Fences) and Rob Demery (Lovecraft Country).
Tune in for the life-story of this Gospel Queen, which will take you on a journey with the civil rights movement, the fight against racism, and it will reveal just how important Gospel music and Mahalia Jackson were to the movement.
On Easter Sunday, Lifetime will premiere The Color of Love starring Deborah Joy Winans (Greenleaf) 8p.m. ET/7p.m. CT. The drama was inspired by the true story of Monica Henderson, an African American widowed mom of two and the battle she faces to adopt a white brother and sister from the foster care system and provide them with a stable loving home. Monica faces push back from multiple fronts, her mother, boyfriend and within the foster care system to adopt the boy and girl, Giving love to a child who needs it should never be clouded by race. And that’s my opinion. Love is Love. Watch Color of Love and get inspired by unselfish love and compassion.
The Color of Love was produced by Reel One in association with Lifetime and executive produced by Tamara Bass, Suzanne Chapman, Tom Berry and Barbara Fisher. Tamara Bass (Don’t waste your Pretty) also scripted the film. Don McBrearty directed this family entertainment movie which stars Michael Brown as Winans’ love interest. Giving love to a child who needs it should never be clouded by race. And that’s my opinion. Love is Love. Tune in and get inspired!
Deborah Joy Winans as Monica in The Color of Love premiering Sunday, April 4 at 8pm/7c.
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