Podcast Summary: "Saturday Church" is a Joyful Journey of Faith and Identity
Podcast: All Of It with Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Date: September 15, 2025
Episode: ‘Saturday Church’ is a Joyful Journey of Faith and Identity
Overview
This episode of All Of It centers around the new musical Saturday Church, which explores the intersections of faith, family, identity, and community. Host Alison Stewart welcomes director Whitney White, and actors J. Harrison Gee and Bryson Battle to discuss adapting the beloved indie film into a vibrant stage production. The conversation delves into themes of reconciliation, self-acceptance, the power of music, and the real-life challenges facing LGBTQ and trans youth.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
The Story and its Significance
- Saturday Church follows Ulysses, a young queer boy navigating grief, familial expectations, and the pursuit of self-expression.
- Ulysses finds solace and belonging at "Saturday Church," a real-life community space for LGBTQ+ youth.
- The musical marries spirituality, queerness, and chosen family, with music blending gospel, pop, and house.
[00:09] Alison Stewart:
“The new musical, Saturday Church, is a love letter to found family, to finding yourself, and to the power of music.”
From Film to Stage: Adapting the Story
[02:22] Whitney White on Adapting the Source Material:
- Maintained the central theme of reconciliation ("the kernel") from the film.
- Brightened the tone by allowing Aunt Rose a path to understanding and growth, providing hope.
“The film is about reconciliation, and that’s just not a theme that we dive into that much... It stuck with me that the film is about a young boy who wants to reconcile all the parts of his life – he doesn’t want to walk away from any of it.” (Whitney White, 02:27)
Casting and Personal Connections
J. Harrison Gee (Pastor Lewis / Black Jesus):
- Grew up in the church as the child of a pastor.
- Saw the hypocrisy around queerness and acceptance firsthand.
“So I know Ulysses' story very well. I mean, I got the chance to sing in church, but still I saw how people treated the queerness and the other and... watching people be hypocritical. So it was easy for me to say yes to this project.” (J. Harrison Gee, 01:53)
Bryson Battle (Ulysses):
- Making professional debut, known from The Voice.
- Spoke about the vulnerability and search for identity embedded in Ulysses' journey.
“When we meet him, he’s in a very moldable and adaptable and impressionable state... less of a victim mentality and more of just this yearning for, okay, what is right and what is wrong, what is allowed? He’s just constantly being told to kind of filter himself.” (Bryson Battle, 04:44)
Navigating Faith, Safety, and Identity
- The show depicts tension between conservative religious values and queer identity.
- Pastor Lewis, played by Gee, wants to protect Ulysses, demonstrating that intentions may be caring even if the result is limited by fear.
"Wants peace and truly, you know, wants the best and is coming from an earnest place. And sometimes religion can get in the way of that." (J. Harrison Gee, 06:14)
On being told to “tone it down” (06:46):
All guests reflected on their experiences with this message, noting it often comes from concern but can limit authenticity and cause harm.
"There are many rooms to this day, I feel I'm told to tone it down, whether implicitly or explicitly... Do I give in, or do I just kind of bravely or as best I can be myself?" (Whitney White, 06:46)
Creating Empathy and Hope
- The creative team avoided villainizing Aunt Rose, opting to depict her with empathy, reflecting the reality that love and fear can clash within families.
“Reconciliation is not possible without empathizing with both sides... I can’t villainize anyone I love.” (Whitney White, 09:17)
Spirituality and Inner Strength
“Black Jesus” (Gee) guides Ulysses toward self-acceptance:
“The power lies within. It’s always been there. You were birthed with it. Now trust that thing within you and fly again.” (J. Harrison Gee, 10:18)
Music as Identity and Anchor
- Music is central to Ulysses’ story and to the show’s emotional core—serving as Ulysses’ “safe haven.”
“Music being an anchor for Ulysses and his voice being something that feels so like, truthful to him and that being really secured in the church in a way...” (Bryson Battle, 12:18)
- The music, crafted by Sia and Honey Dijon (with creative, genre-blending input from the musical team over several years) enables the story to communicate both joy and pain.
“Music is like clay. You know, you can form it, you can shape it... and thankfully, we did.” (Whitney White, 13:42)
Joy, Danger, and Realism
- While the show is suffused with queer joy, it does not shy away from harsh realities: homelessness and violence faced by trans kids.
“A lot of times... we’re not talking to [youth], we’re not reflecting reality to them as they experience it... In the theater, we are reaching for truth. And you can’t do a show about this community without looking at physical violence, sexual violence, things that people encounter every day.” (Whitney White, 18:41)
- Despite these dangers, Black queer joy is front and center.
“To be black queer joy today, in this moment and in this time, is something I actively pray for... It’s a blessing.” (J. Harrison Gee, 20:04)
Personal Growth and Creating a Welcoming Space
- Bryson spoke about trusting himself as an artist thanks to the welcoming creative team.
- The show encourages audience participation and energy, striving for a sense of communal catharsis and connection.
“The more energy you give us, the better experience you get. And so to get to say, hey, talk back to us, let your voice be heard... and to give people permission to go out and take that energy beyond the four walls is wonderful to impact.” (J. Harrison Gee, 21:50)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Living in your truth is dangerous. It’s hard for [Aunt Rose], too. She’s stuck at this crossroad of fear and loving...” (Whitney White, 09:17)
- “Listen, don’t censor black Jesus.” (J. Harrison Gee, 15:14)
- “Fans in the hands just open clack. Why is it a queen thing?” (J. Harrison Gee as Black Jesus, 14:27)
- “Sanctuary—in music, in community, in self.” (Bryson Battle, 16:00)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:09 – Introduction to Saturday Church’s story and music
- 02:22 – Whitney White on adaptation and core themes
- 04:44 – Bryson Battle on inhabiting Ulysses’ state of mind
- 06:46 – Panelists share personal experiences with being told to “tone it down”
- 09:17 – Discussing empathy, reconciliation, and Aunty Rose
- 10:18 – Black Jesus’ spiritual guidance
- 13:22 – Constructing the show's unique musical “soundscape”
- 14:27 – Signature performance moment and “queen” anthem
- 16:00 – Music as Ulysses’ safe haven
- 18:41 – Addressing violence, danger, and realism in the show
- 20:04 – Centering Black and queer joy
- 21:50 – Audience engagement and the show’s communal power
Conclusion
This episode offers an in-depth look at the heart and creative process behind Saturday Church, foregrounding both hope and realism, and celebrating the fortitude and joy of LGBTQ+ youth. Through candid conversation, moving musical moments, and thoughtful reflection, the guests illuminate why this story resonates so powerfully now—on stage and in the world.
For tickets or more information: Saturday Church runs at New York Theatre Workshop through October 19th.
Guests:
- Whitney White (Director)
- J. Harrison Gee (Actor: Pastor Lewis / Black Jesus)
- Bryson Battle (Actor: Ulysses)
Host: Alison Stewart
“It’s easy to just assist, to be that shepherd to the sheep... to lead me to my destiny, to what was created for me.”
— J. Harrison Gee as Black Jesus (15:25)