All Rise For Queens and Their 'Crowns'

"CROWNS"

by Regina Taylor, adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry; Directed by Lois Roach; Musical Direction by Evelyn Lee-Jones; Executive Producer Rebecca Low; Choreography by Jackie Davis; Scenic Design by Brynna C. Bloomfield; Costume Design by Susie Smith; Lighting Design by Eleanor Moore; Production Stage Manager Nerys Powell; Assistant Stage Manager Kayla Geiger

CAST

Fulani Haynes, Mother Shaw/Obatala, Orisha of Wisdom

Michelle Dowd, Mabel/Shango, Orisha of Fire

Merle Perkins, Velma/Oya, Orisha of Storms

Jacqui Parker, Wanda/Oshun, Orisha of the Rivers and Water

Mikelyn Roderick, Jeanette/Yemaya, Orisha of Seas

Heather Fry, Yolanda/Ogun

Darius Omar Williams, Man/Elegba, Orisha of Crossroads

Through December 23, 2005

Box Office 617-437-7172 or www.lyricstage.com

"Crowns" is a feast for the eyes and ears that also feeds the spirit, a welcome alternative after a long holiday weekend of oral consumption. Adapted from the book Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats by Regina Taylor, the photographs and personal narratives are woven into a story focusing on Yolanda, a street smart Brooklyn teenager sent to live with her grandmother in South Carolina after her brother is killed. Accustomed to wearing a baseball cap, dungarees, and bohemian style clothing, her opening rap expresses her confusion with this new world where she is introduced to the rituals of going to church and wearing hats.

Yolanda learns that adorning oneself for worship is a holdover from African traditions and the wearing of a hat is less a fashion statement than a representation of who you are and where you are from. Her grandmother and friends tell stories, sing songs, and guide her on a spiritual journey from attitude to "hattitude" (you have to possess it to wear a hat well). Heather Fry comports herself admirably in transforming from the bewildered outsider with a chip on her shoulder, to the contemplative skeptic, to the converted believer who finally connects to the older traditions.

Fashion does play a large part in the play as each of the women is dressed in a single color throughout. The talented cast of six women and one man play the parts of church-going, hat wearing people, as well as Orishas, emissaries of God ruling the forces of nature. Their costume colors reflect their characters' names and powers: Wisdom is white, Fire is red, Storms is yellow, Rivers and Waters is purple, and Seas is blue. Susie Smith presents everyone in simple shifts at the beginning, but brings on more elaborate dresses and hats as the story progresses. Even the Man is garbed in a vibrant red satin shirt and tie and stately black fedora.

But the hats tell the story. From advice on "hat hugs" to choosing the proper dimensions of a hat, to the prohibition against touching another woman's hat, to the many messages and metaphors represented by the hats, Yolanda and the audience learn together that hats symbolize lots of family history. "Crowns" is a showcase for African American history, music, and soul. Over two dozen gospel tunes accompany the action, including the familiar "When the Saints Go Marching In", the Baptismal "Wade in the Water", and a rousing rendition of "Hem of His Garment" sung by Darius Omar Williams. You have to be very grounded to remain seated during that number!

There are some forty hats in the show, many of them donated by members of the local community. They stand out against the simple set design by Brynna C. Bloomfield that is intentionally not grand. A series of beige curtain panels serve as backdrop, entrance, and exit, and enhance the flow of the actors on stage. A balcony tier serves as home to the musicians (piano and percussion) and doubles as a church pulpit, later becoming the site of Yolanda's baptism, which Director Roach wanted to be special. As the search for her place, faith, and fashion fuse, the baptism represents the completion of the young woman's transformation.

"Crowns" is an uplifting theatre experience that Music Director Evelyn Lee-Jones says is about the audience. Every member of the cast touches the audience with a handshake, eye contact, or a soaring voice. James Baldwin said, "Our Crowns have already been bought and paid for. All we have to do is wear them." These queens definitely wear them well.

P.S. Hat wearing encouraged! Any audience member wearing a special hat to see "Crowns" can have his or her Polaroid photo taken for the "Crowning Wall Of Fame" in the foyer of the Lyric Stage Company.

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