Filed under: Interviews, Music, Theater
In addition to recording chart-topping R&B hits like 'Grapevyne,' 'If You Love Me' and '5 Miles to Empty,' the Detroit-bred vocal powerhouse has maintained a diverse career having guest-starred on sitcoms like 'Martin,' touring in Tyler Perry's 'Meet the Browns' stage play,' and directing productions like 'Sweet Potato Pie.'
Now Gilbert, a former Michael Jackson protégé, has fulfilled a longtime dream of bringing her spicy stage show, 'Soul Kittens Cabaret' to life. The burlesque-style production, released on Jan. 11, 2011 via Noego Entertainment Productions/Image Entertainment, stars 'American Idol' winner Fantasia Barrino, R&B star Faith Evans, theater performer Terrell Carter and 90's R&B diva Monifah, among others.
A story about "seven women on their journey to self-discovery as they struggle with temptation, personal demons and false promises," Gilbert directs this roller coaster story of sex, lies and lots of singing.
Ever the networker, Gilbert used her personal relationships to cast this All-Star theater show.
"I talked to Faith about this project before it was written, when it was just an idea in my
head in like 2003," she recalled. "Faith and I have been friends for a while and we have always been very supportive of each other. She said she would be there for me and at the end of the day, when I was finally in a position to put the show on she was right there as promised."The 40-year-old newlywed, who now resides in Atlanta with her husband, retired boxer Leonard M. Daniels, said convincing Fantasia to come onboard was a lot more challenging.
"Fantasia and I met more recently and initially when I reached out to her about the play, she really wanted to just focus on delivering her album. She had just wrapped some dates with 'The Color Purple' and wasn't interested in doing any more theater at the time," Gilbert explained. "But once I explained the vision and she read the script, I think she realized that this project was about women coming together to uplift and empower each other in both real life and onstage. She accepted this project with open arms knowing her contribution to it would help bring awareness to some of the issues we address in the show."
Gilbert also wrote and directed a short film called 'Rube's Café' starring Terri J Vaughn ('Meet the Browns') that was a part of Fantasia's 'Back To Me Tour.'
Gilbert shared that 'Soul Kittens Cabaret' is more than just another new theater project for her. The endeavor is a manifestation of advice and inspiration she's received from two of her mentors and this is her way of motivating and encouraging others.
Though her group Brownstone continues to perform spot dates, Gilbert is also working on a solo CD.
"I am working on a new live album. For a long time I ran away from music because I couldn't find inspiration. Plus, I had tunnel vision and was focused only on 'Soul Kittens Cabaret.' But now that the baby is born, I am starting to fall in love with music again," she revealed.
In addition to developing several reality television projects, Gilbert is also slated to play Maxine Ballard in the forthcoming Florence Ballard bio-film.
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