Booking 2026 – 2027

Born To Sing the Gospel

The Story of Marion Williams

“She gave Little Richard his scream. Her name is set in bronze on Broad Street. Most people walk right over it.”

Booking & Presenters Who She Was

A live multimedia production · Presented by her son, Robin Williams Sr.

Marion Williams singing with arms outstretched at a microphone

In 1993 Marion Williams became the first singer ever to receive a MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant.

That same year she was named a Kennedy Center Honoree. Aretha Franklin and Little Richard performed in her tribute.

She lived in Philadelphia from 1947 until her death in 1994 — nearly fifty years in this city.

1927 — 1994

Her story

1927
Born August 29 in Miami. She sang as a child in Sanctified churches.
1947
Moved to Philadelphia to join the Ward Singers, and became their lead voice. Philadelphia would be her home for the rest of her life.
1950s
Sang on "Surely God Is Able," one of the first gospel records to sell a million copies, and on "Packin' Up."
1958
Left the Ward Singers to co-found the Stars of Faith.
1961
Starred in Langston Hughes' Black Nativity from its premiere, and through a three-year European tour.
1960s
Among the first gospel singers to tour Africa under U.S. State Department sponsorship.
1993
Became the first singer ever to receive a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant, and was named a Kennedy Center Honoree the same year. Aretha Franklin and Little Richard performed in her tribute.
1994
Died July 2 in Philadelphia. She is honored on the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame.

See it live

Why See It Live

Her son is in the room

Robin Williams Sr. — drummer, executive producer, and Marion's son — presents the story himself. Not a narrator reading a life. A man telling you about his mother.

ii.

The songs are sung, not played

Her repertoire is performed live. You hear what the scream actually was before rock and roll borrowed it, in a room small enough to feel it land.

iii.

Archive meets performance

Film, photographs and recordings from a fifty-year career, cut against live performance — a form built for a story that outran its documentation.

Presenters & Booking

Bring the production to your stage

Available to theaters, performing arts centers, museums, universities and festivals. Three configurations, scaled to your room and your budget.

Full production

$9,500 – $15,000

The complete multimedia staging with live performance, archival film and Robin Williams Sr. presenting. Requires a full-range sound system, projection and a technical rehearsal.

Concert configuration

$6,000 – $9,500

A reduced touring unit built for churches, museum auditoriums and concert halls — live vocals, film, and the story, with lighter technical demands.

Screening & conversation

$2,500 – $4,500

The documentary followed by a live conversation with Robin Williams Sr. Designed for congregations, libraries and community groups.

Running time: 60 minutes, no interval
Travel party: Four
Technical: Projection screen and projector, full-range sound with performer feed, wireless microphones, cue operator, 90-minute tech rehearsal
Provided: Cue sheets, playback files, press kit, approved promotional copy and images
Fee: $2,500 – $15,000 by configuration and venue capacity · 50% deposit · travel and lodging for four additional outside the Philadelphia region
Booking: 2026 – 2027 season

Request the Booking Packet

Watch the documentary

The Legendary Marion Williams

Watch the film free, then see the story live.

The Legendary Marion Williams (2023, directed by Amber Monet) streams free on Tubi, and is available on Prime Video.

Watch free on Tubi Prime Video

The Legendary Marion Williams documentary poster

Churches & Community Groups

Bring Marion Williams' son to your congregation

Robin Williams Sr. is a drummer who spent years on the road behind his mother. He is also her son. When he stands in front of your congregation, the story of one of gospel's great voices is being told by the person who lived closest to it.

How an evening works

Your congregation watches The Legendary Marion Williams — our documentary on her life and ministry, 1 hour 6 minutes. Then Robin takes the floor: what the road was really like, what she was like at home, what her faith carried her through, and whatever your members want to ask. It's a conversation, not a lecture, and it goes where the room takes it.

Watch the film first — it's free.

The Legendary Marion Williams streams free on Tubi, and is available on Prime Video. See it before you decide. We'd rather you book this knowing exactly what you're bringing in.

What the film can't do is answer your congregation's questions. That's what Robin is for.

Watch free on Tubi Prime Video

Good for

church anniversaries, Gospel Music Heritage Month, Black History Month, women's day, music ministry events, senior ministry gatherings, community film nights.

Investment

$2,500–$4,500 depending on date, location, and format. Travel and lodging additional outside the Philadelphia region.

What to expect

Screening: 1 hour 6 minutes
Conversation with Robin: 30–40 minutes following the film
You provide: a screen or projection surface, sound, and a microphone
Lead time: four to six weeks

Have a sanctuary that seats a crowd? The full live production is also available for churches — see Presenters & Booking.

Press

For the press

A press kit with production details, biography, and archival materials is available on request. Contact us for access.

Press tickets are handled through the FringeArts press office. Media contact: Karen Moore, info@karendmoore.com.

Press contact: Karen D. Moore · info@karendmoore.com
Written & directed by: Karen D. Moore
Presented by: Robin Williams Sr., son of Marion Williams
Produced by: Ronaj Movie Productions
Premiere: Philadelphia Fringe Festival 2026 · Cannonball

Contact

Start a conversation

Booking & Press: info@karendmoore.com
Based in: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Availability: 2026 – 2027 season, touring