Gospel music enthusiasts were sent into a frenzy four months ago (as we reported here) when it was formally announced Urban music royals Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, and Mary J. Blige were joining forces to create a biographical film to depict the rise of the genre’s most revered sister act – The Clark Sisters.

Cited as an inspiration by some of popular music’s most prized vocalists from Whitney Houston to Mariah Carey, Blige, Beyonce, and more, the Clarks – Dorinda, Jacky, Twinkie, and Karen – broke music barriers and ushered in over five decades of Gospel classics and crossover hits including the likes of ‘You Brought the Sunshine,’ ‘Name It, Claim It,’ and more.

Now, as it rolls closer to its yet-announced premiere date, the movie – ‘The Clark Sisters:  The First Ladies of Gospel’ – is amping up viewers with news about its all-star cast.  Details inside:

 

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Soooo Christine Swanson @cswanson44 director of The Clark Sister Film challenged me to get the actors to sing live for Clark Sisters biopic verses them lip syncing to The Sisters recorded vocals.. I had the privilege of producing vintage music and training theses ladies phonetically, tonally, blend and feel to find and embody The Clark Sisters…it was awesome and MUCH fun to show them ALL the nuances, parts,placement and all things I grew up LOVING about The Clarks @kierrasheard @sheleamusic @angelabirchett @christina_official #Awesome REAL Clark Sister fans KNOW this intro #TheClarkSistersBiopic #YouBroughtTheSunshine #LifeTime

A post shared by Donald Lawrence (@donaldlawrence) on Mar 27, 2019 at 4:33pm PDT

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The movie will detail their humble beginnings, struggles to find their place, to later becoming the best-selling Gospel group in the music world. It will tell the story of the five Clark sisters and their mother Mattie Moss Clark. Lovecraft Country’s Aunjanue Ellis plays Moss Clark, while Christina Bell stars as Twinkie, Kierra Sheard as her mother Karen, Sheléa Frazier as Dorinda, Raven Goodwin as Denise and Angela Birchett as Jacky.

The movie will feature re-recordings of some of The Clark Sisters biggest hits like “You Brought The Sunshine”. Loretha Jones exec produces with Holly Carter for Revele Entertainment and Shakim Compere for Flavor Unit. Christine Swanson (Chicago P.D.) directs based on a script written by Sylvia L Jones.

Tanya Lopez, EVP of Movies, Limited Series & Original Movie Acquisitions, Lifetime and LMN, took to press to express her excitement on the project.

“Bringing untold stories of phenomenal women to life has been a core tenant of Lifetime,” said Lopez. “We are thrilled to partner with Cheryl, Sandra, Queen Latifah, Mary, Missy and The Clark Sisters for the new projects that will showcase these iconic women in music to new audiences.”

Grammy-winning gospel songwriter/producer Donald Lawrence will helm the production’s re-records.

[photo source:  Lifetime]

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