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'Arms Too Short' a real gospel rouser

That rousing gospel musical "Your Arms Too Short To Box With God" is back in town, having opened last night at the Ambassador after a lively cross-country tour. Created by Vinnette Carroll's Urban Arts Corps for the 1975 Spoleto, Italy, Festival, it came to Broadway shortly before Christmas the following year, a 90-minute recreation by a black church congregation of the Passion of Christ and the Resurrection according to Matthew. Now somewhat extended, and with an intermission, it remains an exhilarating piece of theater.

The telling of the biblical events is concentrated in the first half, in which there now seems to be added attention given to Christ. (A dance roll, portrayed by Elijah Gill) and the events leading up to the crucifixion. The shorter second half is entirely devoted to the church celebration of the story presided over by the young and animated preacher (Cleavant Derricks) who begins the proceedings. Padding out this half is a breezy, rollicking song-and-dance chorus number to the traditional "Down By the Riverside."

The thrilling voice of Delores Hall, so vivid a part of the earlier production, is missing. But there are compensations. In her place is a round-figured and grandly versatile young singer named Jennifer-Yvette Holliday, who has the audience clapping and shouting each time she struts her stuff, but most enthusiastically in the next-to-closing "I Love You So Much Jesus." And the equally robust voice of Sheila Ellis, somewhat submerged in the original production, is now allowed fuller play, most excitingly in "See How They Done My Lord."

BLACK BROADWAY

[[2 images - scenes from the play]]

It's a grand company all around, and special mention must be made of the dancing Mary, beautifully expressed by Quincella Swyningan in Talley Beatty's stimulating choreography. Carroll has again attended to the overall direction.

Alex Bradford's songs, supplemented by some Micki Grant contributions, are both touching and irresistably rhythmic, as the occasion demands. But the amplification unfortunately too often makes the rich singing take on the character of the sounds emanating from those large noise boxes slung over the shoulders of street youths. There is no need for it, for these singers could bring down Yankee Stadium unaided.

Whatever, they're a grand lot, and "Your Arms Too Short To Box With God" is as winning and welcome as ever. The preacher's opening musical promise "We're Gonna Have A Good Time" is amply fulfilled.

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