The Awakening: A Retrospective of Chicago’s Iconic Gospel Soap Opera
In the vibrant and often turbulent landscape of 1990s Chicago, a unique television phenomenon captured the hearts and minds of the city’s youth. Long before the age of streaming services and viral videos, a locally produced Christian drama, The Awakening, emerged from the South Side to become a cultural touchstone for a generation. Airing in a late-night slot, this groundbreaking series combined raw, unflinching portrayals of inner-city life with a message of faith and redemption, creating a dedicated following that endures to this day. This article explores the story of The Awakening, from its visionary creator and the church that served as its studio to the beloved amateur cast and the lasting impact it left on Chicago and beyond.
The Visionary Behind the Camera: Bishop Clifford E. Turner
The driving force behind The Awakening was Chief Apostle Dr. Clifford E. Turner, a charismatic leader with a profound understanding of the challenges facing Chicago’s youth. Having grown up on the city’s South Side and experienced the pull of gang life himself, Bishop Turner was uniquely positioned to connect with a generation navigating similar struggles. His ministry, which spanned over 40 years, was built on a foundation of community outreach and a desire to provide positive alternatives to the streets. In 1982, he founded Liberty Temple Full Gospel Church, which would become the epicenter of his creative and spiritual work.
Bishop Turner was a firm believer in the power of media. In 1985, he established HolyWood Studios, a Christian media company dedicated to producing theater, film, and television content that could spread the Gospel in a contemporary and accessible way. The idea for The Awakening was born in the fall of 1991, initially as a two-part skit for a television program called “The Liberty Hour.” The public response was so overwhelming that it became clear a full series was needed. The show won a Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award in 1992 in the “Series” category for “The Liberty Hour: The Awakening,” a testament to its immediate impact. The award credited Clifford E. Turner as Executive Producer, alongside producers Richard House and Marcel Jacobs, the latter of whom sadly passed away on February 17, 2026.
A Homegrown Production: Liberty Temple and Community Roots
At the heart of The Awakening was Liberty Temple Full Gospel Church, located at 2233 W. 79th Street in a converted bingo hall. This was more than just a house of worship; it was a vibrant community hub and the primary studio for the show. The church’s own gospel theater program was the direct inspiration for the series, and its congregation formed the backbone of the production. Members served as volunteer actors, writers, and crew, infusing the show with an authenticity and passion that resonated deeply with viewers. The church complex itself grew to include four buildings, housing a restaurant, a bookstore, and other community resources, further cementing its role as a sanctuary and a creative incubator on the South Side.
A Chicago Phenomenon: The Impact on the City
The Awakening was not afraid to tackle the harsh realities of urban life. The series addressed hard-hitting issues such as gang violence, drug addiction, teen pregnancy, and poverty with a frankness that was rare for television at the time, especially for a faith-based production. It provided a platform for discussing the real-world problems that were deeply relevant to its young audience, offering not just drama but also a sense of hope and understanding.
The show’s popularity was undeniable. In 1992, a cast meet-and-greet held at a local roller rink drew over 2,000 fans, a clear demonstration of its grassroots appeal. The impact was also felt on a personal level, as evidenced by the flood of fan mail the show received. One letter described a grandson who, after watching the show, finally began to understand his mother’s struggle with addiction. Another came from a prison inmate who wished the show had existed when he was younger, believing it could have changed the course of his life. This was a homegrown production that used Chicago’s own streets as its backdrop, fostering a powerful sense of community ownership and local pride. This legacy of community engagement continued for years, with events like the 2014 “Project Awakening Stop the Violence Walk,” which brought together original cast members to advocate for peace in the city.
Broadcasting from the South Side: A Cult Following is Born
The Awakening initially found its home on WSNS-TV, a local Chicago station. It later aired on WCFC-TV Channel 38, in a late-night slot at 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Despite the late hour, it cultivated a massive and dedicated audience. Promotional materials for the show have claimed that it drew more viewers in Chicago than the nationally syndicated “The Arsenio Hall Show” in the same time slot, and that it reached an estimated 100 million viewers over its run. While these figures are difficult to verify independently, they speak to the show’s perceived success and its powerful hold on the local imagination.
The series developed a passionate cult following that remains active decades later. Fans traded VHS tapes of episodes, and the advent of the internet created new spaces for discussion and nostalgia on forums and social media. Reruns of the show reportedly returned to the airwaves in 2007 on WJYS Channel 62, delighting longtime fans and introducing the series to a new audience. The show’s raw, sometimes shocking storytelling, including killing off a child character and storylines involving AIDS and abuse, contributed to its memorable and cult status, setting it apart from more conventional Christian programming.
Where Are They Now? The Cast of “The Awakening”
One of the most remarkable aspects of The Awakening was its cast of amateur actors, who were catapulted to local stardom. The show’s central character was Marquita Perry, a sharp-tongued and immature teenager navigating life in the projects, played by Tiffany Curtis. Other memorable characters included the popular duo Mookie and Pookie (also called Poochie), the latter of whom was played by Wesley Ray, a fact verified through a later reunion promotion. The show’s drug-dealing villain, Tony, was played by Larry Perez, while Vedia Lemons played the role of Tamara.
Information on the current whereabouts of many of the amateur cast members is scarce, a common reality for local productions from this era. However, their performances left an indelible mark on a generation of Chicagoans, and they remain beloved figures in the city’s television history.
Character | Actor | Notes |
Marquita Perry | Tiffany J. Curtis | The show’s central teenage protagonist. |
Pookie / Poochie | Wesley Ray | A popular and highly recognizable youth character. |
Tony | Larry Perez | The show’s primary antagonist, a neighborhood drug dealer. |
Tamara | Vedia Lemons | A key member of the teenage cast. |
Mookie | Unverified | A popular character often mentioned alongside Pookie. |
Stacy | L.A. Holts | Part of the core cast of characters. [6] |
From Audition to Industry: The Beverly Boy Productions Story
Among the many young people whose lives were touched by The Awakening were two brothers from the Beverly neighborhood, Kael and Tavares Beverly. While students at Morgan Park High School, they were avid football players and involved in various extracurriculars. One afternoon, a classmate and fan of the show told them about a massive casting call being held at a local roller rink. With no plans that day and no experience in front of or behind the camera, they decided to go, mostly just to see the pretty girls.
Dressed in their best Cross Colours outfits, a staple of early 90s fashion, they walked into an overwhelming scene of hundreds of hopefuls. They networked, talked to others in line, and finally had their turn to read a few lines at the audition table. With no expectations, they hung out for a couple more hours and then left, content with the fun experience. A few days later, they received a call from the show, they had been cast. Suddenly, they were on the set of The Awakening, meeting local celebrities, running lines, and embarking on an entirely new journey in an industry they would one day call their own.
That experience on The Awakening planted a seed. The energy of the set, the collaborative spirit of the production, and the power of storytelling through a camera
lens ignited a passion that would define their careers. From those humble beginnings on a local Chicago TV set, Kael and Tavares Beverly went on to found Beverly Boy Productions, which has grown into a nationally recognized video production company serving clients across the country. Their story is a testament to the show’s profound impact, not just as entertainment, but as a launchpad for real careers and lasting legacies in the film and video industry.
The Final Curtain and Enduring Legacy
Promotional materials state that The Awakening ran for seven seasons and produced over 150 episodes, making it one of the longest-running Christian mini-series. However, like many details about the show, these numbers are based on promotional sources and are difficult to confirm through independent archives. The exact date and reasons for the show’s final episode are not clearly documented.
What is clear is that the show’s message continued to resonate long after it left the airwaves. Countless requests for its return led to the digitally re-mastered seasons being made available on DVD and online platforms, a testament to continued fan demand. There was also talk of a movie sequel, “The Rude Awakening,” which was intended to confront even more controversial subjects. The spirit of the show and its creator, Bishop Turner, who passed away on January 16, 2018, lives on through its powerful legacy of community, faith, and the unwavering belief that media could be a force for positive change.
Conclusion
More than just a television show, The Awakening was a cultural movement. It was a mirror that reflected the struggles and triumphs of a generation of Chicagoans, and a megaphone that amplified a message of hope from the heart of the South Side. Through the visionary leadership of Bishop Clifford E. Turner, the dedication of its community-based cast and crew, and its raw, honest storytelling, the series created a bond with its audience that has not faded with time. For those who gathered around their televisions on Saturday nights, The Awakening was, and remains, a cherished piece of Chicago history for Chicago videographers and filmmakers alike.
