The Rev. Dr. Warren Rhodes sees certain segments of the community struggling with the same problems he saw nearly 20 years ago.

    Drugs, crime, mistrust in each other.

    Those issues prompted him to write “The Sermon” in 1989, and it first hit the stage that summer. The gospel musical play will again be offering spiritual guidance and entertainment at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 22, at Delaware State University’s Education and Humanities Theatre.

    Rhodes said he wanted to bring it back to revisit some of those troubling issues.

    The show is a two-act play that reaches back to Biblical times in parts and also focuses on contemporary ones. The bulk of the second act takes place during a church service.

    Audiences will recognize the characters’ struggles, Rhodes said.

    For instance, trouble between a husband and wife might be caused by an evil force, embodied on stage by a Devil-like character, whose meddling causes an angelic character to attempt to save the couple.

    “We really try to help people see what’s gong on behind the scenes,” Rhodes said. “We have to be able to recognize the enemy, to confront the enemy that might be right in our own homes, in our own community.”

    The play focuses on how dark forces can lead people down the wrong path, and how religion can save and heal.

    One of the problems is that, at least when it comes to drugs, the community knows who sells them. They’re just afraid to speak up, or to confront the dealer and try to explain what damage they are doing to the community. It’s a case of David and Goliath, Rhodes explained.

    “I want people to believe that the drug war that we have in our communities is a war that can be won if we understand the forces that are causing it. And that we have the power of the Lord. He can help us defeat an enemy that appears to be is undefeatable,” Rhodes said.

    “The Sermon” features all original music written by Leander Morris, with the exception of one song, and is a collaboration between the Baptist Student Union at DSU and the drama ministry of Calvary Baptist Church.

    The show has between 30 and 40 members of staff, students, church members of Calvary Baptist and other churches participating.

    The play is free to the public.

Email Sarika Jagtiani at sarika.jagtiani@doverpost.com

If you go...
What: “The Sermon,” a Gospel musical play
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 22
Where: Education and Humanities Theatre, Delaware State University
Admission: Free