Soul Sisters

Marie & Rosetta

Evolving naturally from the Blues, Gospel music had its beginnings in Chicago. So what better place to celebrate this incredibly talented singing duo than right here at Northlight Theatre? As we enjoy this musical celebration of original Soul Sisters, Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight, we witness how the genre ultimately melded into Jazz, R&B and Rock & Roll, and inspired such popular musicians as Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton and even Elvis Presley.

In George Brant’s biographical one-act we are introduced to two of the unfortunately lesser-known pioneers of this mixture of gospel and swing rhythms. Rosetta grew up in Chicago, while Marie was a New Jersey girl. In 1946 Sister Rosetta Tharpe heard Marie Knight’s sweet voice while singing with a quartet at a gospel concert. Quickly Rosetta snatched up this talented young woman before her rival, the more famous Mahalia Jackson, could offer Miss Knight a contract. The two became musical partners and devoted friends until Rosetta passed away in 1973. 

Prolific Park Ridge-born playwright, Georg Brant, is best known for his award-winning play, “Grounded,” as well as the WWII era comic drama, “Into the Breeches,” which this theatre produced a few years ago. Here Mr. Brant has fashioned a story that sheds light on how these two talented divas met, merged their musical styles and became the stellar duo of gospel music during the mid-1940’s. Brant’s play almost resembles a jukebox musical. The plot, such as it is, revolves around many of the hit songs sung by these two brilliantly talented performers of gospel rock. The show includes at least a dozen powerful hits, such as “Strange Things,” “Rock Me,” “Up Above My Head,” “This Train” and “I Heard My Mother Call My Name in Prayer.”

E. Faye Butler, known to Chicago audiences for her magnificent voice and her luminary stage appearances, makes her directing debut guiding this play, that’s filled with music. Ms. Butler could easily have played either role in this two-hander, but has instead shared her musical and dramatic expertise to guide the two terrific musical actresses who make up the cast. 

The always extraordinary Bethany Thomas plays Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Northlight audiences will remember this gifted recording artist from last season’s “Songs For Nobodies;” however, Ms. Thomas has dazzled audiences in a variety of roles at theatres all over Chicagoland. She recently appeared in “Once” at Writers Theatre, as the bawdy hostess of Teatro Zinzanni in Chicago and has even delighted theatergoers in Milwaukee in “Ragtime” and “The Color Purple.” She’s magnificent here as the Godmother of R&R, using her incredibly versatile vocal instrument to caress the words and make the melodies of Rosetta Tharpe soar into the stratosphere. Her infinite vocal range and that lion-like growl she employs in several of the songs are a tribute to Ms. Tharpe. And watch Bethany’s face and body language as she allows Sister Rosetta to completely inhabit her statuesque physique. This musical mistress is as majestic as the real-life character she’s playing.

As Marie Knight, the Uber-talented Alexis J. Roston is a musical and dramatic force to be reckoned with in this production. She makes a finely-crafted contrast to Ms. Thomas’ Rosetta Tharpe. Alexis is a sweet, prim protegee for her musical partner, a young woman who’s deeply devoted to her religious upbringing and the pure gospel music it’s inspired. But, as she tells Rosetta, “Your music has hips,” and she eventually demonstrates that Marie Knight’s music does, as well. Helping Rosetta with her makeup, accompanying her on the piano and joining the gospel star in her music, Ms. Roston raises her trained voice in so many songs, holding her own with Ms. Thomas. Sporting an impressive resume of roles, Ms. Roston has played the title role in “Porgy and Bess,” the lead in “Sister Act, the Musical,” and more recently, she dazzled with her acclaimed portrayal of Billie Holiday in Mercury Theater’s “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.” I can’t imagine a finer musical theater artist to portray Marie Knight.

Technical support is provided by Music Director Morgan E. Stevenson, who actually supplies the piano accompaniment that the two actresses mime, and Larry Brown, whose talented fingers are actually strumming the acoustic and electric guitars that are mimed by Ms. Thomas. And kudos to both actresses for making it seem as if they’re truly playing their own instruments.

McKinley Johnson’s gorgeous costumes drape Rosetta in an ethereal, sparkling white floor length gown and silver cape, while Marie is contrasted in a smart, tailored rosy-gold satin brocade cocktail dress. John Culbert’s detailed set design depicts a small-town white clapboard funeral home, complete with caskets, stained glass windows and hanging fly strips. Jared Gooding’s subtle, but evocative, lighting often enhances the music and helps transform the play into its strange final scene.

And therein lies the problem with this script. Just when the audience has spent over an hour thoroughly charmed by the electrifying performances of the two accomplished actresses portraying these talented Soul Sisters, who’ve raised their combined voices to the rafters in gospel music, the mood suddenly changes completely. It’s almost as if Brant didn’t quite know how to bring his story to a satisfying conclusion. Not to give away the ending, suffice it to say that, after over an hour of inspiring and joyful songs, the final ten minutes is a downer. Fortunately, Ms. Roston leaves theatergoers with one more heartfelt hymn that helps the audience forget the sadness and provoke us to reward these gifted performers with a well-deserved standing ovation.         

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented July 6-August 6 by Northlight Theatre, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the theatre box office, by calling 847-673-6300, or by going to www.northlight.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.