Web Designer ......................... David Sponseller
Ad Sales ... marketing@significantproductions.org
SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS BOARD
President .................................................................................................. Elliot Sussman, MD, MBA
Vice President ..................................................................................................... Marcus Bridgewater
Treasurer
Secretary
Donna Taylor
Elizabeth Constant
Board Member Jason Goedken
WHITNEY MORSE on
The Sharon®L. Morse
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Dear Patron of the Arts,
Welcome to The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center!
This year marks a very special milestone—10 years since The Sharon first opened its doors. What began in 2015 as a bold dream has grown into a vibrant home for live performance, rooted in the adventurous and artistic spirit of my grandmother, Sharon L. Morse.
Over the past decade, we’ve been honored to earn your trust, show by show, standing ovation by standing ovation. Whether you’re here tonight to experience a beloved Broadway tour, a favorite artist, or something entirely new, know that every performance has been thoughtfully curated by our passionate team of artists and arts administrators.
As we celebrate our first ten years, we’re also stepping into an exciting new chapter: The Sharon is now proudly powered by Significant Productions, a registered nonprofit dedicated to creating meaningful, memorable arts experiences in our community. With this new foundation, we’re not only preserving what makes The Sharon special, we’re building toward a future filled with bold ideas, diverse stories, and even more opportunities to surprise and delight you.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We’re so glad you’re here. Enjoy the show, and here’s to the next ten years of discovery, connection, and applause.
See You at The Sharon,
Whitney Morse
Founder & Artistic Consultant
Significant Productions
ART. ARTISTS. AUDIENCE. SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS (SIGPRO) is a Non-Profit arts organization that operates The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center (The Sharon) & The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol (The Studio).
OUR MISSION; SigPro cultivates a diverse collaborative community with a focus on artists' well-being that strives to provoke thought and spark conversation through high quality performing arts.
OUR TEAM MEMBERS
We believe that fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace is essential for the creation of exceptional art. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to our employees. This ensures every individual who contributes to our productions feels valued and empowered. We actively promote a workplace culture that embraces differences and encourages collaboration among our diverse team of artists, technicians, administrators, and volunteers.
Thank You
FOR SUPPORTING SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS
STANDING OVATION
$2,022 A YEAR
Jim & Dee Judd
Elliot Sussman
John Swartz
ENCORE ENTHUSIASTS
$60 A MONTH
Celeste Hankins
John Hilt
April Linscott
Marianne Niesen
Jim Ward
ARTS AMBASSADORS
$30 A MONTH
Bob & Diane Kendi
Edward & Gayle Labuda
Kathleen Litch
Holly Nicholson
Bonnie Park
Karen B. & Clarence Russell Jr.
Patricia Schlemmer
Donna Silver
Donna Taylor
Jan & Dave Thomas
Bob & Iris Trinh
Barbara & John Van Dyke
Melissa Warner
DEDICATIONS
Ursula Becker
Peg Fiore
Alice Stogden
Jackson L. Straub III, M.D.
Lorraine Torgerson
Thank you to our Vibe Setters and anonymous donors.
Direct Tel: +1 212 994 3533 | dshultz@imgartists.com
North & South America
IMG Artists | 7 West 54th Street | New York, NY 10019 | USA | Tel: +1 212 994 3500 | www.imgartists.com
General Enquiries
Andrew Kay and Associates
Toni Rudov – Senior Producer | toni@akaaustralia.com.au
PROGRAM NOTES
PROGRAM NOTES
This new concert by 3-time Grammy®-winning Soweto Gospel Choir; celebrates songs and anthems of Nelson Mandela’s Freedom Movement in South Africa and the Civil Rights Movement of Dr Martin Luther King’s America. Opening with a rousing program of South African freedom songs, the repertoire moves down through time to the USA, with beautiful renditions of the protest music of the Civil Rights Movement and more contemporary classics, including works by legendary artists Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Cynthia Erivo, Stevie Wonder and the one-and-only Aretha Franklin. Formed to celebrate the unique and inspirational power of African Gospel music, Soweto Gospel Choir is dedicated to sharing the joy of faith through music with audiences around the world and has received critical acclaim and audience adoration for their powerful renditions of African American spirituals, gospel and folk music.
Soweto
Gospel Choir 2025
“God has wrought many things out of oppression. He has endowed his creatures with the capacity to create - and from this capacity has flowed the sweet songs of sorrow and joy that have allowed man to cope with his environment and many different situations.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
1964 Berlin Jazz Festival (Article)
“… the political use of music in South Africa changed from being a ‘mirror’ in the 1940s and 1950s to becoming a ‘hammer’ with which to shape reality in the 1980s. In South Africa, music went from reflecting common experiences and concerns in the early years of apartheid, to eventually function as a force to confront the State and as a means to actively construct an alternative political and social reality.”
The Beat that Beat Apartheid: The Role of Music in the Resistance Against Apartheid in South Africa. Anne Schumann
2008 Vienna Journal of African Studies (Article)
* NOTE: ALL INFORMATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTIFICATION
ABOUTABOUT THE SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR
Hailing from Soweto (South West Township), a township outside of Johannesburg and home of Nelson Mandela and South Africa’s democratic movement, SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR continues to inspire audiences around the world with their powerful blend of African gospel, freedom songs and international classics.
Comprising a line-up of some of South Africa’s best vocalists, these uplifting performers have shared the stage and collaborated with the biggest names in contemporary music including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, U2, Diana Ross, Peter Gabriel, Chris Martin, John Legend, Pharrell Williams, Jimmy Cliff, Ben Harper, Angelique Kidjo, Robert Plant, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hugh Masekela and Josh Groban.
SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR was formed in 2003 at the end of the apartheid era and during South Africa’s inspiring return to Democracy. Taking part in some of the major historical events in the new democratic South Africa, Soweto Gospel Choir are proud to have performed on many occasions for the Father of their Nation, former President Nelson Mandela and sadly at his State Funeral in South Africa and at the subsequent commemorative service at Westminster Abbey in London. They were similarly invited to perform at the funeral service for the late President’s first wife, Winnie Mandela.
The Choir acts as Ambassadors for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
• Performed with the biggest names in music including U2, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Josh Groban
• Over 17 million views on YouTube
• Spreading joy to audiences across the globe for nearly two decades
“MELODIES”
NARRATION
“NONKONYANE KA NDABA”
“MODIMO”
“DICHABA”
“NOT YET UHURU”
“LITSHONILE LI LANGA”
“PASOPA VERWOERD”
“SECHABA”
“E KE DUMETSE”
“MBAI MBAI”
“FREEDOM MEDLEY”
INTERMISSION
ALL INFORMATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTIFICATION
“OPENING DANCE AND CHANT”
“AMEN”
“HEAVEN HELP US ALL”
“PASS ME NOT GENTLE SAVIOR”
“A CHANGE IS GONNA COME”
“MAN IN THE MIRROR”
“PEOPLE GET READY”
“STAND UP”
“YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE”
“HALLELUJAH”
ALL INFORMATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTIFICATION
by
Photos
Stephan Meekers
STEP INSIDE SIGPRO the free, monthly backstage pass to everything Significant Productions! From hilarious team antics to exclusive sneak peeks, event presales, juicy behind-the-scenes stories, and heartfelt community moments… this isn’t your mother’s newsletter.
SUBSCRIBE NOW & JOIN THE VIP LIST KEEPING THE ARTS ALIVE
PRIVATE BOX experience
ENJOY YOUR NEXT SHOW AT THE SHARON LIKE A VIP!
• Exclusive experience for up to 15 guests.
• Private lounge for the evening, including homelike furnishings, restroom, and direct access to the auditorium box for comfortable viewing of your show.
• Upgrades available such as a private bartender or personalized celebratory furnishings.
To explore accommodations and availability, please contact VIP@SignificantProductions.org
Great theatre requires talent, passion, and the support of our community. The Villages values the power of art and recognizes Significant Productions’ role in enriching our lifestyle. Join them, as we have, in ensuring that live theater continues to thrive.
POWERING art IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH
Free Memory Screens
Hand-Selected Jewelry from the World’s Finest Brands
Hand-Selected Jewelry from the World’s Finest Brands
Expert Repairs by In-House Master Jewelers
Expert by In-House Master
Certified Appraisals On-Site by GIA Gemologists
Appraisals On-Site GIA Gemologists in The Community for 25 Years
Proudly Family-Owned in The Villages® Community for 25 Years
ADVERTISE
Increase your visibility by marketing your message to The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center’s local, engaged audience, as well as advertise in The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol’s Programs and our monthly Digital Newsletter, The Scoop!
For information on prices, ad sizes, and availability, please email us at marketing@significantproductions.org.
