Written and performed by Shellie O’Neal.
Lakeside United Methodist Church, 515 FM 416 Streetman, TX
Sunday, September 8th
Performance at 2:30 p.m. Meet & Greet reception following
Shellie O’Neal portrays the life of the prolific hymnist, ‘Fanny’ Crosby (1820-1915), the author of over 8,000 hymns and gospel songs, some of which were written using pen names lest the hymnals be filled with her name above all others.
Many of the hymns are among the most popular in every Christian denomination: Blessed Assurance, To God Be the Glory, Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior, Safe in the Arms of Jesus, Rescue the Perishing and Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross, to name a few.
‘Fanny’ wrote up until her death in 1915, a month shy of her ninety-fifth birthday. One of the most remarkable things about Mrs. Crosby was that she was blind and had done so in spite of her blindness.
Long inspired by the story, Dr. O’Neal felt God leading her to write a play that she could perform about this remarkable woman. Her passion and depth of understanding of the Fanny Crosby story fills the listener with joy and an increased appreciation of Fanny Crosby songs. She has performed the play in over one-hundred locations including New York City, Washington, D.C., Flagstaff, Arizona, Ferrara, Italy, Bethesda, Maryland, and throughout Texas.
Shellie serves as Chair of the Theatre at Navarro College and has written 24 plays, receiving numerous awards in playwriting competitions. This is her first one-woman show.
For more information, call Janie Richards/Trinity Star Arts Council at 903-388-4765.
