Bedward The Musical brings story of Jamaican religious leader to South Florida
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Key Points(5)
- South Florida audiences will get a chance to explore the life and legacy of Jamaican religious and social leader Alexander Bedward this weekend when Bedward The Musical takes the stage at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center.
- The production, a revival of a work by celebrated Jamaican playwright Louis Marriott, will be presented Sept.
- 19 and 20 by the Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council.
- Acclaimed Jamaican actor Ricky Rowe stars as Bedward, the preacher and healer who emerged as a prominent religious leader in Jamaica during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Bedward built a large following among working-class Jamaicans and became known for challenging the colonial establishment and advocating for Black Jamaicans at a time of significant social and economic inequality.
South Florida audiences will get a chance to explore the life and legacy of Jamaican religious and social leader Alexander Bedward this weekend when Bedward The Musical takes the stage at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center.
The production, a revival of a work by celebrated Jamaican playwright Louis Marriott, will be presented Sept. 19 and 20 by the Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council.
Acclaimed Jamaican actor Ricky Rowe stars as Bedward, the preacher and healer who emerged as a prominent religious leader in Jamaica during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Bedward built a large following among working-class Jamaicans and became known for challenging the colonial establishment and advocating for Black Jamaicans at a time of significant social and economic inequality.
The musical uses acting, music, movement and Jamaican cultural traditions to tell his story and introduce audiences to a historical figure who is less widely known today than some of the Jamaican leaders who followed him.
“You know Garvey. Now meet Bedward,” organizers said in promoting the production, drawing a connection between Bedward and the better-known Jamaican political leader and Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey.
Rowe is joined by an ensemble that includes Dr. Allan Cunningham, Malachi Smith, Father Horace Ward, Phillip Cross, Neville Williams, Nadine Brady-Taylor and Lena Lawrence, along with the Jamaican Folk Revue.
Michael Forrest directs the production, with choreography by Yvonne Jones-Goodridge and musical direction by Dr. Floyd Antonio.
Born in St. Andrew, Jamaica, Bedward became the leader of the Jamaica Native Baptist Free Church and attracted thousands of followers. His religious movement also developed into a vehicle for criticism of colonial rule and the racial and economic conditions facing Black Jamaicans.
His prominence eventually brought him into conflict with colonial authorities. Bedward died in 1930, but his movement and influence have remained part of discussions about the development of Black nationalism, religious resistance and social activism in Jamaica.
The Lauderhill performances come as South Florida's large Jamaican community continues to serve as an important audience for Caribbean theater and cultural productions.
Bedward The Musical will be staged at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, and Sunday, Sept. 20. Tickets are available now at www.louisebennettheritage.com and the Lauderhill Performing Arts Theater Box Office. With only two performances, audiences are encouraged to secure their seats today.
The production is presented with support from Broward County Cultural Affairs and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners.
