Interview, and preach: The people behind The Beautiful City Project’s ‘Gospel Truth’

Come February, and the closing of Black History Month, we celebrate love, the coming of spring, and, chiefly, Black Excellence. With this in mind, The Beautiful City Project presents The Gospel Truth, directed and music directed by David Fiorello, co-created and co-hosted by Aeriel Williams, and produced by Dr. Stephanie C Clergé. 

The cabaret benefits Urban Reformers, a charity that aims to have “a direct impact on our local neighborhoods for the kingdom of God by practicing proximate justice, pursuing holistic restoration and promoting biblical ethics.” Chi-MT had the opportunity to interview Fiorello, Williams, and Clergé about the joy, the process, and the anticipation of their latest undertaking.

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CMT: What does The Gospel Truth mean to you?

AW: The Gospel Truth means the beginning. It’s the Genesis of music for me. The good news, the evangelical essence, the message and the way to get back home.

DF: Gospel music was my first love. Before Musical Theatre, before sweet 90s jams, my ears were filled with Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Smokie Norful, Donald Lawrence and Daryl Coley. Couldn't get enough of it. At The Beautiful City Project, I've always tried to be very intentional with our performers representing our city at large, in terms of diversity. But this was a great opportunity to present even more of the phenomenal Black Excellence that this city showcases on a daily basis. After chatting with my co-creator and co-host Aeriel Williams about this, along with my producer for the show, our very own Dr. Stephanie C. Clergé, I knew this was the perfect blend of what we already do, and what could be a spectacular Black History-month slotted cabaret fundraiser that veers a little from the musical theatre canon. I'm always blessed to have the performers volunteer their time the way they do, but to have literally the top-notch talent that we have, it's beyond words. 

CMT: What does producing this cabaret mean to you in the context of your career at large? 

SCC: As an African American woman, being able to produce a show that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the African-American community while showcasing the talent of so many wonderful Black artists during Black History Month has felt like a dream to me. This show is something new that I have never seen before, and that's what makes this even more exciting.  Also, as someone who has spent their career predominantly in the healthcare industry, this was a big change, and frankly something I never saw coming. So as much as it has been thrilling, it has also been challenging and exciting. I hope to one day produce and direct onstage and on-screen projects, so I anticipate that this production will serve as a catalyst for me as I continue to navigate this industry.

CMT: What about this event speaks to Urban Reformers' mission? 

AW: Honestly, the music and the message, which is Gospel music. Urban Reformers came together through the elements of all that Gospel music is. We are a creative coalition of young leaders who desire to have a direct impact on our local neighborhoods for the kingdom of God by practicing proximate justice, pursuing holistic restoration and promoting biblical ethics.

SCC: One of the key components of the Urban Reformers' mission is the using of the church as not only a meeting point, but as a foundational pillar in the community outreach they do. Gospel music is such an integral part of the churchgoing experience for the African American community, so the music of our event really speaks to the heart of this organization.  

CMT: While performing may be more about collaboration than competition, which act of the night are you most excited to showcase? 

SCC: The most exciting act of the evening for me will be seeing the choir. Other Beautiful City projects I have seen follow more "traditional" theatre formats, with songs featuring one or two singers, and occasionally a song or two with an ensemble. However, for this event, nearly all of our soloists actually make up the choir. Showcasing that will not only be new, but I think it will also be quite magical. 

AW: ALL OF THEM. EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING.

CMT: What's coming up next for The Beautiful City Project? 

DF: Oh, quite a bit! We're really just heading into our second season of live performing. We started in January of 2020, and only got to March before the world shut down, and last year we picked back up in March for live performances with BROADWAY BLUEGRASS. So it feels like Season 2 is upon us. We've got another College Edition on the books with the fabulous folks at Roosevelt University, we've got a mighty fundraiser of our own coming up, and a musical in concert later in the year. All showcasing top-notch talent, but more importantly, supporting hyper-local Chicago charities and non-profits. Don't want to give too much away yet, but stay tuned!

CMT: Now for a fun one: Billie Holiday or Ella Fitzgerald? 

DF: This is the definition of an unfair question. I'll give the politician's answer. Both. But I'll also say this, if you haven't seen Alexis J. Roston perform Billie in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill at Mercury (in the same Venus Cabaret space that we'll be performing The Gospel Truth), you need to get there and relive a fascinating moment in time. Stunning performance. It's an era that can't be replicated, and they'll live on forever the way they're supposed to. But Ella? She had an other-wordly instrument. One of my favorite quotes of hers is "The only thing better than singing is more singing." We were aurally blessed to have these two ladies for the time that we did.

SCC: Both singers were incredibly talented and both icons in their own right. But I think just based on musical preference, I think I gravitate more to Ella Fitzgerald. I love her range and the mix of scat singing and taking ballads into swing songs, as opposed to Billie Holiday's bluesy sound. But I love them both and wish I could carry a tune like they could. 

AW: I refuse to choose. Both are remarkable ladies, and the world would be lost without them.

Featuring music by Kirk Franklin, Donald Lawrence, Hezekiah Walker, Smokie Norful, and the thriving talent of Chicago’s finest performers, The Gospel Truth is sure to be a night to celebrate and remember that Black History month is every month.

The Beautiful City Project presents The Gospel Truth on February 27th at the Venus Cabaret, 3741 N Southport Ave. For tickets or more information, please click here.