BEAUTIFUL is the best word to begin to describe Crowns, The Black Rep’s opening show of the new season. Staged at Washington University’s Edison Theatre, it’s a celebration of African American women, the glory of their hats and where the tradition arose.
A show that’s sung as much as it is acted, it brings satisfying work from all the cast, headed up by Anita Jackson. She, like most of the others, plays multiple characters, but she’s a pleasure to watch and hear. Tyler White is the young woman who is sent from Brooklyn to live with her grandmother in South Carolina. She stood out even as a very young dancer with The Black Rep. It’s nice to see her in full flower as a performer.
Amber Rose tears it up with her singing, and Leah Stewart, another vet since she was young, temporarily returns from working with Disney to show us her talent. Maureen L. (Hughes) Williams seems to have a particularly good time with things, and Eleanor Humphrey rounds out the cast with her Black Rep debut. Myke Andrews is the sole male in the company, with a wide variety of characters, all of whom take advantage of his fine voice. (You may have heard him in Lost in the Stars at Union Avenue Opera.)
Not surprisingly, costuming plays a big part in this show. Designed by Daryl Harris and put together under wardrobe shop supervisor Marissa Perry, they’re part of the delight. They did not, however, do all those hats. Many of them were a gift from Louiedean Ray, hats she inherited from her mother Velma Hollis, who passed away at the age of 100. All the hats are wonderful, and the vintage ones especially charming.
Dunsi Dai did the set, a straw boater hat, Joe Clapper’s lighting contributed to the feel of the show, and Kareem Deanes’ sound sounded perfect. Charles Creath the music director and keyboardist always manages to make whatever he’s working on sound like he’s having a good time, and this is no exception. He’s aided and abetted by Matthew Clark on percussion.
Linda Kennedy directed Crowns and should be very satisfied with this production. It sounds good, it looks good, and it’s hard to imagine not smiling through much of the show.
Crowns
through September 23
The Black Rep
Edison Theatre at Washington University
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