This Saturday night, The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton will host the premiere of Sanctified, a new gospel musical comedy.
Written, directed, and produced by Atlanta-based Javon Johnson, familiar to many as a recurring cast member and writer on Tyler Perry’s The Oval, the show blends heartfelt storytelling, comedy, and a wide range of church music traditions.
“Sanctified” depicts a small Southern church grappling with change. A young interim pastor arrives determined to rejuvenate a dwindling congregation by involving younger voices and modernizing the ministry. His ideas clash with the traditions of longtime elders, however, creating conflict and comedy as the church tries to remain relevant without losing what matters most.
“It’s a gospel musical comedy, so you’ll hear everything from blues to traditional hymns to contemporary gospel,” Johnson said. “But at its heart, it’s about tradition versus evolution in the church. It’s a story I’ve seen play out in real life.”
Raised in Anderson, S.C., Johnson said he saw firsthand how congregations thrived when youth were engaged — but also how attendance declined when younger generations drifted away. Returning home after time away emphasized the dwindling engagement even more, he said.
“At some point I came back and thought, ‘Wow, there are no kids in this church,’” Johnson said. “And then I thought, if the senior choir van crashed, we wouldn’t have any church at all.”
While writing “Sanctified,” Johnson said he collaborated with composer and lyricist Rollo Dilworth of Washington, D.C., to create the show’s musical score.
Together, they crafted a production to showcase the breadth of Black church music traditions within a story of change and resilience.
“Sanctified” also features strong local connections.
Jarvis Wingfield of Greene County, who wowed audiences earlier this year as Mister in “The Color Purple” at The Plaza, has the lead role of Pastor Harold. Fellow “Color Purple” cast members Sha’Kecia “Peaches” Mitchell and Kimberly Burkett also return, joining an ensemble that blends local talent with professional experience.
For Wingfield, the production marks a homecoming of sorts. “Being around the people in this play is like being around my everyday family,” he said. “That makes it so much better.”
The production team agrees the Eatonton debut is especially meaningful.
“When we saw ‘The Color Purple’ at The Plaza, we knew this would be a great setting for ‘Sanctified,’” Johnson said.
Marketing director Indy Brennan added that the local roots of several cast members — alongside Eatonton’s ties to Alice Walker and “The Color Purple” — make the connection “magic.”
“Javon connected with Jarvis and Peaches at The Plaza, and it all just came together,” Brennan said.
Johnson agreed that Eatonton is the right place for “ Sanctified” to debut.
“The Plaza is a beautiful theater and has been wonderful to work with,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll get to do something again here in the future.”
Following its premiere at The Plaza, “ Sanctified” will play on Sept. 20 at Redd Budd Holy Church in Rocky Mount, N.C., with additional dates and locations to be announced soon.
“Sanctified” premieres at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13 at The Plaza Arts Center. Tickets ($40 each) are available at javonjohnsonproductions.com and at The Plaza Arts Center the night of the show.