Synopsis

Genre:  Drama, Comedy, Gospel Music      
Location:  Family Home and their Church
 
Featured headliners include the legendary Queen of Gospel, Pastor Shirley Caesar; the Queen of Gospel Comedy, Sister Cantaloupe; Terrell Phillips, acclaimed actor from Tyler Perry productions; and the dynamic cast of the award-winning gospel stage play, written and produced by Dr. Mildred Summerville and directed by Trina Jeffrie.
In this powerful and emotionally charged stage production, a wise and unwavering woman known simply as “Grandma” stands as the spiritual cornerstone of her family and community. While her son’s household teeters on the edge of collapse and the neighborhood around her grapples with crisis after crisis, Grandma becomes a beacon of faith—praying relentlessly for those who can’t, or won’t, pray for themselves.
At the heart of the turmoil is Linda, Grandma’s headstrong and often dismissive daughter-in-law, whose resistance to spiritual matters only deepens the family rift. But even Linda finds herself on Grandma’s ever-growing prayer list, as do many others who misunderstand or underestimate the strength of Grandma’s quiet resolve. When the lives of those around her begin to unravel, they instinctively turn to the one woman who has never stopped believing in their redemption.
Filled with soul-stirring gospel music and unforgettable characters—James, the devoted but conflicted son; Tracy, the troubled teen burdened by a painful secret; Sister Cantaloupe, Grandma’s sassy and outspoken sister—Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child fearlessly addresses tough issues often avoided: family dysfunction, peer pressure, generational trauma, substance abuse, and sexual violence.
As the story unfolds, Grandma gently but firmly guides her granddaughter Tracy to confront a long-buried trauma of sexual assault, opening the door to healing. She also wages a spiritual battle to save her grandson William from the dangers of gang life. Though the play’s conclusion comes at a great cost to Grandma herself, her legacy of love, faith, and intercession proves that her life was anything but ordinary—it was divinely purposeful.
With its blend of gripping drama, gospel-infused music, and moments of laughter and hope, Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child is an unforgettable theatrical experience. It is a celebration of resilience, the power of prayer, and the unshakable influence of a praying grandmother.