Previews: April 23 – 27, 2005
Runs: April 28 – May 29, 2005

The New "CROWNS" with all the "hattitude," and music you remember and more!"

The play’s director, Marsha Jackson-Randolph comments, The Ensemble applauds the power of the production, under the direction of Bebe Wilson last year. This year, audiences will experience all the "hattitude" and music they remember and more.  The story evolves around a young teen whose life reaches a crossroads when her brother is killed in a drive-by shooting. The concept of last year’s production entailed the performance of that role by two teen young performers. This season, one actress performs the role — heightening the focus on the spiritual nature of her journey to be immersed in her culture. A scene omitted in last year’s production involves her journey through a ‘Middle Passage” of her culture culminating with her arrival in Darlington, SC. This year’s production gives an equal weight to this simple story line of Yolanda’s discovery of her connection to her African roots, in addition to the pageantry of the ‘hat queen’ stories. The deeper exploration of this subplot broadens the scope of  Tommacina Bell’s role as choreographer, and likewise the breadth of the musical score arranged by Kenneth Myles.
 
Featured in the cast, Tony Glover, a favorite of The Ensemble Theatre audiences and musical theatre productions throughout our city, along with returning favorites, Shanica McKinney (the preacher’s wife) and E’brandia Burton (Wanda). The new cast includes (local gospel recording artist) Rachel Riles, Aisha Ussery (last seen in Two Trains Running), and Joan Hubert, whose credits includes two seasons in "Black Nativity" and work with the Ebony Opera Guild and Houston Grand Opera, as the venerable "Prayer Warrior," Mother Shaw.  Making her Ensemble Theatre debut, the multi-talented actor, singer, dancer, Ane Ebie, performs the central role of  Yolanda, the Brooklyn teen who is initiated into the "circle of hat queens" on her journey to the South.  

Rating: General audiences. Great for everyone! An encore.

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