After a very successful run at the Midtown International Theater Festival, |
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Schedule FOR 1-9 TICKETS, CALL 212-239-6200 Two thumbs up from the audience! 
Kim Coles could not have enjoyed herself more. She absolutely loved SISTAS "An extraordinary musical that uses Grammy-winning hit songs to convey the journey of African Amercian Women has satisfied the souls of many. No other Off-Broadway Musical I've seen has generated so much enthusiasm as Sistas. Those stereotypical notions of the African American experience for women has been rooted with Oral Tradition to empower its meaningfulness. With an exciting performance by April Nixon's portrayal of Simone, the actress fosters our belief that education can be a conventional way to connect heritage with our perception of reality. Roberta's sensational role honors familihood by singing songs to promote the idea of survival. Furthermore, married to this production is a skillful pianist whose supportive power embraces the drummer as he beats into our hearts with a sense of Jazziness. This is why I proclaim that Sistas is AMAZING!" "I went expecting to hear some 'oldies but goodies' and was blindsided by the excellent story ( a monologue by the character, Roberta, brought me and most of the people to tears). Five women grab you when they take the stage and don't let go until you're on your feet begging for more! I don't want to give too much away; but, the energy, the story and the ability of these characters to draw you into their world is amazing. The singing alone is worth the ticket!" "This engaging musical production leaves you elated. The life of a matriarch intertwined with the lived experiences of her female descendants is relived through the musical legacy of female singers spanning some 80 years." "Saw the show last night - one word BRILLIANT! It was a refreshing perspective on our journey. Take your daughters to see this show...especially teenagers. Highy recommended and very affordable." "Thank you for an AMAZING show ladies! What a powerhouse of talent and what a great show...wishing you all the best for a fantastic run and sending you all good vibes that it will have a life after the MITF! Brava!!!" "What a treat! This play deserves to be sold out every night! Grab some friends and go on this journey of "sistas"...you won't regret it!" "I had a WONDERFUL time, GREAT performance, extremely TALENTED ladies!!!!" "You ladies were great!!! This was one of the best musicals I have ever seen. It made me laugh, it made cry, it made me sad and then it made me happy! I hope I will have the opportunity to see the show again...come back!"
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Walter's World: Sistas the Musical
A fun evening of music and the inspirational power of family was had by all at Sistas the Musical last Thursday. The musical is now running off-Broadway at the St. Luke Theatre (308 West 46th Street) on Thursday at 7 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday at 4:30pm. The musical is a one-act presentation and runs a very quick seventy-minutes without an intermission. After the death of the family matriarch five female members of her family, sisters Roberta (Jennifer Fouché), Gloria (Tracey Conyer Lee) and Simone (April Nixon) Simone's daughter Tamika (Lexi Rhoades) and a Caucasian sister-in-law Heather (Amy Goldberger), meet in their grandmother's attic. The women go through boxes and open trucks sharing memories of the grandmother's life, her struggles and the struggles of women of color. In the process they affirm their own lives and the lives of women today. Sistas enjoyed a successful run at the Midtown International Theater Festival 2011. The positive audience response resulted in sold out houses during the festival and encouraged the producers (three-time Tony Award winner Hinton Battle and Jenkay LLC.) to further develop the musical for a run off-Broadway. Aside from reminiscing, each woman has a story of her own to share. These range from sexual abuse to interracial marriage, from self-esteem and single parenting to losing a spouse. These affirmations are then reinforced through the song.
Sistas incorporates 38 songs many of them musical anthems of female empowerment. The songs are literally an American songbook from Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday to The Supremes and Beyoncé. Allowing the talented cast to effortlessly take us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, while remaining thought-provoking, enlightening and upbeat. The music is the backdrop to a well-crafted script by playwright Dorothy Marcic and on target directing by Kenneth Ferrone. One of the most gratifying aspects of the musical is that although it is an all female cast the musical does not bash men! This makes it a perfect date night. For more information and tickets visit www.sistasthemusical.com, www.telecharge.com or call 212 239-620. Group sales are available. Rus Rowland photographer
Open Field Interviews - December 21, 2011
December 31, 2011
Sistas: The Musical, the storied musical journey of African American women from Bessie Smith to Beyonce through Top-40 music officially opened on Sunday, October 23, 2011, Off-Broadway at the St. Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street) to rave reviews after a very successful run at the Midtown International Theater Festival. Nightly, theatergoers happily leave the play with a smile on their face and humming one of the memorable songs from the full of fun musical. The 90-minute musical sans intermission stars Jennifer Fouché, Amy Goldberger, Tracey Conyer Lee, April Nixon and Lexi Rhoades, and is produced by 3-time Tony winner Hinton Battle, and Jenkay, LLC (Jay Harris and William Franzblau). The side-splitting fun play is written by Dorothy Marcic (writer of Respect: The Musical, which has played in 20 cities), and stunningly directed by Kenneth Ferrone. All members of the play's production team know a thing or two about successful musicals having all been involved in many hit musicals. They can now add this play to their winning trophy case. After a matriarch's death, the women in the family clean Grandma's attic and find love and old memories packed away, and in the process, hit tunes that trace the history of Black women, from the trials of the 1930s through the Girl Groups of the 60s to the empowerment of the 90s. Three sisters (Jennifer Fouché, Tracey Conyer Lee and April Nixon); their white sister-in-law (Amy Goldberger); and Lexi Rhoades who plays April Nixon's daughter prepare for the funeral of the family's 92-year-old matriarch. When we meet the sisters, they are in their grandmother's attic as they prepare for an appropriate song to sing. During their search, their individual experiences begin to unravel and they learn compelling things about each other that they never knew before including sexual abuse. In the end they triumph over adversity becoming victors instead of victims from pain and fear. All of this while singing a happy tune or a relatable song. Sistas: The Musical is a warm and touching story about friendship and family. Marcic's true accounts of the Black woman's spirituality resonate in her writing. She truly captures our essence in a very engaging way. "I wrote 'Sistas The Musical' because I love the music of African American women," states Marcic. "And I saw how the music tells their story and how uplifting that story is. It's the story of love, of family, of overcoming obstacles and ultimate triumph of spirit." The 3-man soulful band — Nicholas Cheng (keyboard); Matt Cusack (bass); Brian Adler (percussion) — garnered deafening applause throughout the production playing hit after hit. Many times, when you play in an intimate venue such as the St. Luke's Theatre, a live band tends to drown out the performers. This never happened here as the band accompanied the singers like a teacher does her class on a field trip. Songs included "Oh, Happy Day," "Mama Said," "I Will Survive," "Tyrone," "I Am Not My Hair," "We Are Family," Stormy Weather," Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," "God Bless the Child," Strange Fruit," Sweet Talkin' Guy," "Take My Hand Precious Lord," "Milkshake," Say a Little Prayer," "R.E.S.P.E.C.T." and "A Woman's Worth." During this Yuletide Season, when you make your list and check it twice, make sure that Sistas: The Musical is on it! The creative team behind Sistas: the Musical includes Ed Staudenmayer (associate director); Nicholas Cheng (musical director); Germono Toussaint (additional arrangements); Lauren Lim Jackson (choreographer); Renee Marino (associate choreographer); Kia Rogers (lighting designer); Josh Iacovelli (set designer); Tricia Barsamian (costume designer); and Sam Mattingly (general press representative). At show's end guests joined the cast at an after party in an intimate room at the theater that was hosted by Marcic and the producers. Guests lined up to offer their congratulations to the captivating cast and vowed that they would come back and bring their sisters with them. (Photo Credit: Lawrence Gallmon)
December 24, 2011
When I left "Sistas: The Musical" on Saturday evening, I had a lot of reflecting to do, because this show has many layers. On the surface, it is a marvelous time listening to a talented cast of women singing some great hits from Black female artists like Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Mahalia Jackson, Diana Ross and Gloria Gaynor, bringing you into modern times with singers like Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and Macy Gray. The songs take you through a history of music that includes women revealing their feelings through the blues, gospel, love songs and spirited songs declaring they don't care if anyone else approves of their men. Other songs simply told men off and displayed the strong spirit of the Black woman. Selected songs in the show include "Oh Happy Day," "Ain't Nobody's Business," "God Bless the Child," "Precious Lord," "Strange Fruit," "You Just Keep Me Hanging On," "Call Tyrone," "Single Ladies" and "I Will Survive." Playwright Dorothy Marcic found a perfect way to bring all of these songs together into a story that demands your attention. As the female members of a family gather to go through the attic of their deceased great-grandmother, they tell stories of the past and discover materials that she left behind that divulge more information about what Black women have endured. There are three sisters: Roberta (Jennifer Fouché), Gloria (Tracey Conyer Lee) and Simone (April Nixon). Also in the play is Tamika (Lexi Rhoades), Simone's daughter, and Heather (Amy Goldberger), a white sister-in-law. As these ladies go through the items in the attic, they talk about how their great-grandmother had been a maid and how her white employer spoke down to her. They talk of the hurt the family has endured due to racism, when one of the male members chose to be an entrepreneur and was killed by the Klan in the South. There are many revealing family stories that are discussed. Each character is also revealed, as they have issues that need to come to the surface. On the final level, this story is about the strength and power of the Black woman, and it is a beautiful and uplifting story to see and share. I took my 9-year-old daughter and she had a marvelous time. All five of the actresses have fabulous singing voices and clearly put their hearts into every number. You will find yourself singing along, clapping and definitely sympathizing with what these characters are going through, as well as identifying with what the elder Black women in their lives had to endure for them to be the women they are today. "Sistas: The Musical" is an acknowledgment of where we came from and who we have become today! Marcic's story is perfectly directed by Kenneth Ferrone and is presented by multiple Tony Award winner Hinton Battle and Jenkay LLC. It is playing at St. Luke's Theatre, at 308 W. 46th St., in an open-ended run. For more information, visit www.sistasthemusical.com.
December 22, 2011 Talented Teens and Stellar Performers Illuminate Harlem Stage On the Plaza The holiday season in the Village of Harlem recently came to life as Harlem's own Grammy and Oscar nominated music group Impact Repertory Theatre and youth groups, including Vy Higginsen's Gospel for Teens and the Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts' Voices of Excellence choir, took center stage on the plaza of the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building for the 35th annual Harlem Tree Lighting Ceremony. Hosted by NY1 News leading anchorwoman Cheryl Wills, the festive, outdoor, family affair also featured a soulful holiday greeting from R&B song stylist Alyson Wiulliams who moved the crowd with her own personal rendition of "This Christmas." Three time Tony Award winner Hinton Battle was also on hand. Broadway community's most respected musical star debuted his first inspirational single, "When I Walk," and later introduced cast members from his latest off Broadway production, "Sistas."
Read entire issue of New York Beacon - December 22, 2011 (PDF). Excerpts about SISTAS on pp 27 & 30.
December 15, 2011 New York Beacon Hosts Matinee Performance of Sistas: The Musical On Sunday, December 4, 2011, the New York Beacon hosted a matinee performance for Sistas: The Musical playing Off Broadway at the St. Lukes Theatre for 60 people. Sistas: the Musical, the story of African American women through Top-40 music, is produced by 3-time Tony winner Hinton Battle, written by Dorothy Marcic (writer of "RESPECT: The Musical," which has played in 20 cities), and directed by Kenneth Ferrone. The play stars Tracey Conyer Lee, Lexi Rhoades, April Nixon, Jennifer Fouché, and Amy Goldberger. After a smashing performance, Battle was joined by Marcic onstage to thank the audience for attending this special performance and for their support, and to thank and acknowledge the staff of the New York Beacon including the paper's co-publisher Miatta Haj Smith. The overwhelming consensus was that everyone loved the play and could not wait to get their buzz on. Some were even so carried away that they just couldn't wait to spread the news and tweeted during the 90-minute production sans intermission. If you would like to host your own theater party for a performance of this magnificent production, call the play's press representative, Sam Mattingly, SM Communications, at 917-331-9375, who was very instrumental in the NYB hosting this glorious performance. Following the performance, some of the guests continued their favorable comments over drinks at the famous B. Smith's restaurant just up the street from the theatre.
Read entire review (PDF document)
They're Not the Supremes, But they Know the Tunes! Theater Review Dorothy Marcic’s “Sistas: The Musical,” now playing at St. Luke’s Theater, is a sweet and sassy ...little show. Three sisters (Jennifer Fouché, Tracey Conyer Lee and Lexi Rhoades); their mother (April Nixon); and their white sister-in-law (Amy Goldberger) prepare for the funeral of the family’s 92-year-old matriarch. One sister was sexually abused; one is throwing away her life on a worthless man who mistreats her; one has become deeply religious; and the mother is an overachiever who was valedictorian at Spelman. They discuss lynchings, freedom riders, SNCC, racial profiling, feminism, hair weaves (“Black women have the same relationship with their hair that white women have with their weight,” one character observes), weakness versus vulnerability, and the difference between “naming the pain” and wallowing in it. ...The real reason you’re there is for the songs, which range from Ms. Fouché’s powerful rendition of “Ain’t Nobody’s Business if I Do” to a ’60s soul medley that hits the heights with “Stop! In the Name of Love,” sung by all five women wearing makeshift gold lamé gowns. The group number “Single Ladies” is pretty great too. In the end it’s a good-natured, low-budget evening with plenty of humor and some impressive voices.
Playwright Dorothy Marcic is interviewed on "Talk! with Audrey Adams"
Sistas was featured on ABC, New York HERE AND NOW.
Sunday, October 23, 2011 THE WEEK AHEAD - OCTOBER 23-29
"Sisterhood is powerful" should acquire new resonance this week with two musical productions that have assembled their own special sororities. The differences between them suggest that sisters, like Sergio Leone's cowboys, fall into the categories of the good, the bad and the ugly. If it's sisterly love you're after, there's Dorothy Marcic's "SISTAS: THE MUSICAL" at St. Luke's Theater. Directed by Kenneth Ferrone, this inspirational songbook follows the women of an African-American family from the days of Jim Crow to the present, a journey filled with songs made famous by the likes of Billie Holiday and Beyoncé. Opening Sunday night, 308 West 46th Street, Manhattan; (212) 239-6200, stlukestheatre.com; $29.50 to $69.50.
Name the Pain and Proclaim Your Power Through Music Posted by Editorial Staff on Monday, July 25, 2011
"We have so many freedoms now...You kind of forget the life women lived," explains Dorothy Marcic, a professor at Columbia University and former Fulbright Scholar. Her piece shows African-American women have always been at the forefront of music with honest lyrics and captivating stories told through song. Such frankness and storytelling is so important in this day and age of uncertainty and cover-ups. "This is a time we need truth; to hear the truth and speak the truth. African-American women have been doing that all along," she adds. "Something about music just goes to your soul. There's a song for everything." For sensational "Sistas" actress, Patrice Covington, music acts as an escape, connection, and memory. "Music is how you meet everything," she shares. While Marcic is in-tune with her creative passion, she also juggles the business aspect of producing inspirational musicals, such as "RESPECT: Women and Popular Music and Love Lift Me Higher." Tackling the details of investors, advertisement, public relations, and inevitable obstacles, Dorothy understands the most important point is to maintain organization. "You can't be creative when you're tied in knots," she reasons. According to Marcic, "All it takes is time, energy, and focus...It's fun if you make all the pieces work." To aspiring playwrighters, Dorothy encourages the constant reading and watching of great plays and developing a body of work. What better way to start than by experiencing "Sistas the Musical" this month. For more information visit: www.sistasthemusical.com
July 23, 2011 'Peg O' My Heart' & 'Sistas' At Midtown International Theatre Festival I saw two musicals the other day, both very impressive, spanning different time periods, generations and ethnicities, but similar because both offer fine historical overviews. "Sistas: The Musical" is a revue with a story about the strife of African-American women told through song featuring music from the 30's to present day. The women are brought together by the death of Grandma Alice, the matriarch of the family, as relationships flare and share as they rummage through memories in the attic. It is written by playwright Dorothy Marcic, a professor at Columbia University, who authored 14 books including RESPECT: Women and Popular Music; the musical RESPECT, subsequently touring throughout the U.S. The women, while searching for an appropriate song for Grandma Alice's memorial, engage in the heartbreak and joys of African-American women everywhere as their story comes to life - from oppression to empowerment. Tamika (Patrice Covington), the youngest of the group is equipped with typical gear, bopping and listening to music on her earphones and texting on her cell; her cousins Gloria (Angela K. Thomas) and Roberta (Jennifer Fouche) more seriously involved in the memories, misfortunes and realities of strife as tunes like "My Man," "Tain't Nobody's Business" and "God Bless the Child" recount stories with references to Ma Rainey and Billie Holiday. Tamika's mom Simone (Gayle Samuels), a Phd. at a university, speaks about Betty Friedan and the women's movement, relating it to Bessie Smith who sang about it 90 years earlier, as the talk turns to bigotry, hardship and the expression of the spirit of African-American women. Roberta is angered, intent on the sacrifices the women have made, the history and horrors as she soulfully sings "Strange Fruit," her deep bluesy sound quite impressive. Briana Davis plays Heather, the white girlfriend, who bears the brunt of anger that erupts as she attempts to assuage the bitterness. The show takes a lighter turn about halfway through, as it turns to glamour, boyfriends and music like "Mama Said," Baby, I'm Yours," Say a Little Prayer," Stop in the Name of Love" and a rip-roaring R E S P E C T. Tamika is the comic relief as Simone does her turn on "I Will Survive." Chatter turns to hair relaxers and "white women worry about weight; black women worry about hair" as they sing "I Am Not My Hair." "Call Tyrone" gets a lot of audience reaction, as does "All the Single Ladies." Tamika does a bang up job with a Whitney Houston tune. There's a bit of proselytizing from Gloria about God, independence and inter-dependence, lessons are learned and a happy ending with "We Are Family." They are accompanied by a trio, Musical Director Charles Geizhals. The show is directed by Kenneth Ferrone; Choreography is by Lauren Lim-Jackson.
Patrice Covington, Briana Davis, Angela K. Thomas Cast in Sistas: The Musical By Andrew Gans SISTAS: The Musical, the story of African-American women told through popular music, from "God Bless the Child" to Destiny's Child, will begin a limited run of six performances July 11 at the Abingdon Theater's June Havoc Theater. Directed by Kenneth Ferrone, the cast includes Patrice Covington, Briana Davis, Jennifer Fouche, Gayle Samuels and Angela K. Thomas. "After a matriarch's death," press notes state, "the women in the family clean Grandma's attic and find love and old memories packed away, and in the process, hit tunes that trace the history of black women, from the trials of the 1930's through the Girl Groups of the 60's to the empowerment of the 90's." Songs include "Oh, Happy Day," "Mama Said," "I Will Survive," "Tyrone," "I am Not My Hair" and "A Woman's Worth." Dorothy Marcic, who also wrote Respect, penned the libretto.
"Sistas The Musical" is a highly anticipated new musical from playwright Dorothy Marcic. Sistas will premiere at Midtown International Theatre Festival in New York on Monday, July 11. Sistas is the story of African-American women told through popular music, from "God Bless the Child" to "Destiny's Child," taking audience members on a musical journey from "Mama Said" to "Mr. Big Stuff" to "Tyrone" to "Single Ladies." Sistas opens with a family's search for what's important after a tragedy. Their voyage takes them through old family emblems as the audience walks down memory lane with the piece into a musical celebration. Overall, Sistas is a story about friendship, family and the important things in life. "I wrote 'Sistas The Musical' because I love the music of African-American women," states playwright Dorothy Marcic. "And I saw how the music tells their story and how uplifting that story is. It's the story of love, of family, of overcoming obstacles and ultimate triumph of spirit." "Sistas The Musical" is a part of The Midtown International Theatre Festival, now in its twelfth year, celebrating the diversity of theatre. Sistas will run from Monday, July 11 - Sunday, July 31 (selected dates; see below) at June Havoc Theatre - Abingdon Theatre Complex, 312 West 36th Street, New York, N.Y. 10018. The cast of 'Sistas' includes: Angela K. Thomas, Gayle Samuels, Briana Davis, Patrice Covington and Jennifer Fouche.* About the Playwright: Dr. Dorothy Marcic is a professor at Columbia University and a former Fulbright Scholar, author of 14 books, including "Managing with the Wisdom of Love" and "RESPECT: Women and Popular Music" (upon which her first musical was based) and most recently, "Love Lift Me Higher." She lives in Nashville and New York. About the Director: Kenneth Ferrone recently Associate Directed the Broadway musical, Wonderland as well as the Off-Broadway premiere of In Transit. Recent New York credits include work at Primary Stages, Atlantic Theatre Company, Studio Theatre, Robert Moss Theatre, the Hudson Theatre, and NYC International Fringe Festival. Regionally, Kenneth has worked at the Alley Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Bay Street Theatre, Steppenwolf, and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. ©2011 Community Newspaper Group
Theatre Performance - Sistas: The Musical Sistas: The Musical is the story of African-American women told through popular music, from "God Bless the Child" to "Destiny's Child," using hit tunes to trace the history of black women, from the trials of the 1930's through the Girl Groups of the 60's to the empowerment of the 90's. This soulful, laugh-out-loud show takes the audience on a musical journey from pain to pride to power. After a matriarch'Õs death, the women in the family clean Grandma's attic and find love and old memories packed away. Writer: Dorothy Marcic, Director: Kenneth Ferrone. The cast of Sistas includes: Patrice Covington, Briana Davis, Jennifer Fouche, Gayle Samuels, and Angela K. Thomas |
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Playwright Dorothy Marcic declares the significance of African-American women's "herstory" through music in her spirited new off-Broadway production, "Sistas the Musical." Marcic's "sistas" find solace and honesty in a musical journey from Ma Rainey to Beyonce that helps them explore painful experiences and find the strength to press on as a family of empowered women. With songs like "I Will Survive," "Greatest Love of All," and "Single Ladies," the musical tells the story of a family's search for unity and love and expresses appreciation for female trailblazers we often take for granted.
