Subplots include a shady promoter (Lavan Davis) trying to short the Whispers and Hyman their fees, funneling $ 17,000 to his mistress (Shiro) an Apollo custodian (Loren Harper) who long ago gave up singing gospel and a practical joke involving Whisper Nicholas Caldwell and "Contasha von Fauxtenburg" (Rikki Valentino Lafontaine) a drag queen friend of Hyman's. Hyman is despondent, it's explained, from a sagging career a substantial weight gain a backing musician (John Valentino) who has left her band to join the Whispers' band and a lover (Martin Paulk) who has also deserted her. Semi-autobiographical musical focuses on the group's 30th anniversary show at Gotham's Apollo Theater and the concurrent suicide of thrush Phyllis Hyman, a longtime friend of the group who was also on the bill. Its three hours are packed with entertaining fare it's just in desperate need of further development. Members of R&B vocal group the Whispers appear as themselves in "Thank God! The Beat Goes On," an ambitious and heartfelt project that, while it deserves encouragement, is only a step above Mickey and Judy putting on a show in the back yard. Bradley (Debbie) Lavan Davis (Frank, Sly Stone) Shiro (Tootsie, Valerie) Martin Paulk (Richard, Gordy Harman) Shuntik Willcott (Young Whisper, Ballad) Thomas Dorsey (Young Whisper, Ballad) Don Harris (Young Whisper, Ballad) Alyson Williams (Phyllis Hyman) John Valentino (Valentino) David Whitfield (Lou Bidell) Rikki Valentino Lafontaine (Contasha, Peter) others uncredited. Cast: Walter Scott, Wallace "Scotty" Scott, Nicholas Caldwell, Leaveil Degree (the Whispers) Loren Harper (Nate Walker) Toni Malone (Pie lady) Gertrude E. Directed by Harper set, lighting, Ron Nash musical direction, Ron Hasley other credits unavailable. Thank God! The Beat Goes On (Wiltern Theater 2,300 seats $ 35 top) Barry Singer and Michael Gardner present a musical in two acts by Loren Dean Harper with songs by various writers.
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