SHOUT SISTER SHOUT by Carol Kaufman Segal

            Shout Sister Shout is a musical that relates the story of Gospel singer Rosetta Tharpe.  Rosetta was born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas in 1915.  She achieved notoriety in the 30’s and 40’s with her recordings of gospel music.  Accompanying herself on the guitar, her rhythmic style was the antecedent to rock’n’roll which had an influence on future rock’n’roll and soul singers to come along such as Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Aretha Franklin, and others.

            Rosetta Tharpe suffered a stroke in 1970 which had an impact on her career.  Subsequently, she had one of her legs amputated due to complications from diabetes.  In 1973, she suffered another stroke and died.  Cheryl L West, who wrote the book, begins the story at the time  Rosetta Tharpe (Tracy Nicole Chapman) dies and discovers that before she is allowed to enter heaven, she is required to return to Earth to tell her life story to Isaiah (Logan Charles).  Isaiah is a young man considering suicide because he feels his dreams of becoming a songwriter will never come to fruition.     

            This gimmick, as a way of telling the story, was fraught with good intentions, but left a young man often idling away on stage at times.  The story, itself, has its merits, but the draw of this production is due to the performances, the dancers, singers, the musicians, and the music which keeps the play moving while keeping the audience upbeat as well. 

            Shout Sister Shout was created by Randy Johnson and Cheryl L. West and directed by Randy Johnson.  Choreography is by Keith Young and music direction and arrangements are by Rahn Coleman.  Other cast members include Yvette Cason, Michael A. Shepperd, Angela Teek Hitchman, Thomas Hobson, Boise Holmes, and Armando Yearwood, Jr.   

            Shout Sister Shout is playing at the Pasadena Playhouse Wednesdays through Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM and 8 PM, and Sundays at 2 PM and 7 PM, through August 20.  Tickets are available online at PasadenaPlayhouse.org, by phone at (626) 356-7529, or at the Pasadena Playhouse Box Office located at 39 S. Molino Ave, in Pasadena.

RECOMMENDED