Jubilee Theatre continues its 2007-2008 season with Crowns a gospel musical by Dallas native Regina Taylor. This musical play has an unusual source for a dramatic work: an inspired collection of photographs and personal stories published in the best selling book Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats written by Craig Marberry and illustrated by photographer Michael Cunningham.
The book is based on the stories of African-American women from South Carolina and their crowns: the beautiful hats that they wear to church every Sunday. Taylor received the Helen Hayes and Audelco Awards for Crowns, which first was produced at the McCarter Theatre Center and Second Stage.
Regina Taylor's play centers around Yolanda, a young and proud woman from Brooklyn, New York. After a family tragedy, Yolanda is sent to South Carolina to live with her grandmother. In South Carolina, she is warmly received into a circle of women. Through the history, music, and aesthetics imported by her elders, Yolanda discovers that self-expression and acceptance by her community are not mutually exclusive values.
Directed by Ed Smith with musical direction by Joe Rogers, Crowns features a cast of Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, Carol Markes, Dawn Miller, Cedric Neal, Michele Rene, and Dee Smith. Designers include set design by Judd Vermillion, lighting design by Roma Flowers, and wardrobe by Derrick Farrow.
Crowns preview March 27; the show opens March 28; and the show runs March 29 through April 20, 2008. -- www.jubileetheatre.org
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