Debbie Sloan (center front), and other cast members, sing a song as they perform in Swamp Gravy. The Cotton Hall cauldron has been pushed back over the fire, and Swamp Gravy is sizzling again. This year brewed up a hefty helping of The Gospel Truth.

“Swamp Gravy: The Gospel Truth” was first staged at Cotton Hall Theater in 1995 and was later performed at countless venues around Southwest Georgia as well as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Under the direction of Elizabeth Bojzsa and Gerard Stropnicky, this season is to be one of the most “fiery” yet.

Preacher Jack is preachin’ the Ten Commandments, and his congregation is ready to tell how they’ve broken them. The Gospel Truth follows a southern Georgia church through its trials, tribulations, laughs, fears and tears. Woven into the story are many of Swamp Gravy’s old favorites— songs from the beginning of Swamp Gravy. “Dance with the Devil” gets the audience on their feet as the theater suddenly transforms into a juke joint, complete with waitresses and dancing. “Don’t You Wanna Go” has a haunting, but uplifting presence in The Gospel Truth. And, as always, it’s hard not to clap along to the beat of “That’s All that Matters”. There are also several hymns of worship featured within the play, including “Just as I Am” and “Showers of Blessings”.

Many cast members relate their Swamp Gravy experience as spiritual. Tony Atkinson, owner of Atkinson Industrial Electric in Donalsonville and Swamp Gravy cast member for three years, stated that “Swamp Gravy, to me, is by definition a church; a faith community which comes together to spread grace. And it does. Swamp Gravy is an avenue of grace to every person that experiences it, whether as an audience member or a cast member.”

The Gospel Truth is a ride full of emotion and is sure to delight audiences with true stories of a simpler time. So, come set your spirit free with the truth, the Gospel Truth every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in March. All Thursday night performances have been designated local nights. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.swampgravy.com or by calling this toll free number: 1-800-514- 3849