Kim Burrell and Ace Alexander in Gospel Stage Play "Church Mess"

Atlanta, GA - Grammy-nominated, Stellar-award winning jazz gospelsinger Kim Burrell and nationally syndicated radio personality Ace Alexander of Sheridan Gospel Network, have joined the cast of the touring gospel stage play, "Church Mess: The Next Level." Both Burrell and Alexander's debut performances are set for September 16 when the comedic, engaging production about church conflict, crisis and triumphant breakthroughs, opens in Montgomery, Alabama at the Davis Theatre.

Chad Everette Cooper, CEO of A Wealthy Place Arts & TheatreCompany and creator and producer of "Church Mess," is excited about the play's newest cast members. "Kim Burrell is regal. With her, I know I have the best of the best,"says Cooper. "And, Ace Alexander is smooth and powerful, on and off air.He's one of the best gospel personalities around."

Performing two original songs ("Broke the Chains" and "The Devil is Mad") from the play, Burrell portrays Ebony Williams, sister ofFirst LadyCheryl Gray, played by Alicia Robinson Cooper, co-creatorand co-producer of "Church Mess." Alexander steps into the role of Arthur Fuller, the wayward roommate of Charles Smith, the playboy minister of music who is also the brother on the "down low." "Church Mess" tells the story of the straddle-the-fence minister of music and the various issues he faces which weave the other characters into the story line such as the money-grubbing deacon who is sleeping with a co-ed parishioner, the church secretary who lusts after the pastor and the self-righteous, gossiping church mother--all creating a funny,compelling and relevant case of church mess.

Burrell and Alexander join the cast of "Church Mess" just as A Wealthy Place, the Florida-based production company behind the play, launches a fall and spring tour that expects to cover 50 U.S. cities. For more information about "Church Mess" visit www.churchmess.com, www.myspace.com/churchmesstheplay, & www.myspace.com/chadeverettecooper.