East St. Louis native returns home to present new musical 

The title might suggest otherwise, but “A Great Gospel Musical Volume One: The Book of Joel” is not a musical autobiography for Joel P.E. King.

It is an interpretation of the book that inspired the actor, producer, playwright, visual artist and East St. Louis native’s name. 

“This musical tells the story of the prophet Joel, as written in the book to examine what was happening during that time,” said King. “And how the gospel is a constant expression of our culture and history.”

“A Great Gospel Musical: The Book of Joel” will play the Grandel Theatre at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. 

“A Great Gospel Musical is not this story of protagonist versus antagonist,” King said. “It’s church! It is an opportunity to sit back and listen to these melodious, soulful tunes while having these interludes of storytelling that doesn’t look like your regular stage play.”

King has been creating musicals since he was twelve years old. His repertoire of original work spans about 20 musicals – or “plays with music” as he describes them.  The storytelling is done with sermons found in the book of Joel. 

“The sole purpose of the sermonic interludes is to explain why we are singing the songs,” King said about his latest work. “And an opportunity to reflect on how the stories relate to your day to day – each birthed out of my circumstances – either me personally or people that I’ve had the opportunity to see flourish.”

His father Marvin King – a musical and religious man – is one of King’s major inspirations. 

“A lot of what I do is a reflection of him,” King said. “Because he was not only an artist but an intellect as well.” 

After his father passed away, King gained a new appreciation for his father. 

“He got some of his flowers but not all,” he said. “So, I work even more now than I did back then so I can receive his roses on his behalf.”

King started out as a visual artist. He painted and he drew. 

He graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a degree in studio art and design. He minored in music and theatre. His initial goal upon graduation was simply to make money – until he sat down for his first table read. 

“I saw what the work was actually doing and how people were having this cathartic experience right before my eyes,” King said. “I realized that this work is more palpable than just getting some pocket change.”

He is most thankful for the late Lisa Colbert, a professor at SIUE who founded the school’s Black Theatre Workshop. King encountered her during his days as an undergrad. 

 “There was no hub where students of color could go and experience their art and grow their art outside of the class,” King said. 

It was because of her ingenuity – and ability to establish a sense of community amongst the Black creatives on campus that he was able to develop into the producer he is today. 

Two decades later, he is still going strong. 

Just as with his other plays, “The Book of Joel,” is produced by King’s own company JPEK Creative Works. He serves as artistic director and producer. He also teaches a theatre camp with New Works Theatre in Atlanta. He starred in an independent film entitled “Pieces of a Dream,” but is perhaps best known for his “hip-hopera” entitled “Real Life.” The musical toured five seasons in St. Louis before it traveled to Sarasota, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia.

“A Great Gospel Musical: The Book of Joel,” didn’t begin as a project for the stage. 

“The original goal was to make this an album release type of thing” King said. “But then I thought about it more intently. I wanted to curate this into an actual show. There are a lot of breathtaking moments that are going to happen.”

King says the production addresses heavy topics – like healing trauma and discovering one’s identity. 

“Bring your tissues for your issues because something will resonate,” King said. “The way that the sermons are delivered, these messages are definitely going to hit in ways that are going to create a moving experience.”

JPEK Creative Works presentation of “A Great Gospel Musical Volume One: The Book of Joel” will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 12 at The Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, visit www.jpek.org. 

Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.