Through February 11, 2018
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Few bio-musicals manage to find that elusive sweet spot where an intriguing and well written personal history tells a great story and riveting musical performance provides great storytelling. George Brant’s “Marie and Rosetta,” currently on stage at Cleveland Play House, is not one of them.
To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's blog here.
Roy Berko
George Brant’s “Marie and Rosetta” exposes the personality and vast talent of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, which
is a service to the woman and a public which may have been unaware of her
effect on the music industry. Though the
play is interesting, and the music is dynamic, it is also a little static in
language and staging.
Mark Horning
While the instrumental performances fail to totally connect
with the audience such as was found in the original Sister Rosetta Tharpe live
shows (check out the YouTube film of Rosetta’s 1964 performance at a train
station in Manchester, England) it none the less shines a spotlight on an
amazing woman who revolutionized Rock and Roll (at long last she is to be
inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year). See this show for a
taste of her life then go home and do some research.
Christine Howey
When the music succeeds in really rocking out, in renditions of “I Want a Tall Skinny Papa” and “Four or Five Times,” it feels like M&R could actually reach some interesting heights. But the pedestrian script and uninspired directing by Neil Pepe only serve to keep this musical icon where she started: In need of a really honest and compelling exploration of her career and her gift.
To see a full review of this show, read
Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at Cleveland Scene
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at Cleveland Scene
What works best about this engaging show is that it turns our attention to the accomplishment of Sister Rosetta, a woman who showed in her music that she did not feel she had to hide either her joy or her faith or to choose between the church and the club. Her original and unconventional mix of feeling and soul–a music with raw energy and complex rhythms–caught the imagination of the next generation — Elvis Presley for sure, but also the Beatles. Thank you, Sister Rosetta.
To see a full review of this show, read Laura's posts at Cool Cleveland.
Andrea Simakis
Marie and Rosetta deserve something magical, something more than this well-meaning but earthbound production can give.
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.
