By Deirdre Parker Smith
dp1@salisburypost.com
No need to go to a tent revival. Just go see Piedmont Players’ “Crowns” and you’ll be inspired.
The musical play about black women and their hats is full of gospel music and uplifting stories of faith, African-American history and redemption.
With a cast full of hearty singers and soloists like Alexis Greer, the music is heavenly.
A simple set of stained glass windows carries this message above: “Our crowns are bought and paid for. All we have to do is wear them.”
What little plot there is involves Yolanda, a young woman from Brooklyn, N.Y., who gets shipped to her grandmother in South Carolina when her brother is murdered. Yolanda, dressed in hip hop gear, doesn’t exactly fit in in small town South Carolina, nor does her attitude.
Her grandmother and her grandmother’s friends set out to educate her, starting with why they wear such fancy hats to church. African women have a longstanding tradition of covering their heads, and as Mother Shaw, played by Alease Taylor, explains, African-American women couldn’t dress up when they were slaves working in the fields. Church was the only place to show off what finery they had.
And when they were no longer slaves, and had money of their own, the hats became a signature, like some ladies have jewelry.
The featured players, Linda Hunt, Alexis Greer, Tia Glass, Delores Gullick and Ebony Rivers have long monologues, stories of their lives and the lives of their ancestors, along with great songs.
Those ladies earned whoops and hollers at the opening night curtain. Greer, whose powerful presence has graced Piedmont’s stage before, is outstanding. Rivers, in her quiet rebellion, is strong, too, and Taylor, in her bright orange suit and with that sweet voice, makes the perfect grandmother.
Hunt, as Mabel, Gullick, as Jeanette, and Glass, as Wanda, all have great stories to tell and moments to shine in song.
The supporting choir, composed of Arnisha Archie, Edna Springs Coleman, Edwina Downer, Ruby Kesler-Ford, Norma Jamison, Jaqueline Springs and Ella Woods, make a joyful noise unto the Lord, as do the men, Joe Elliot, Emil Foster, Kevin Reese (another veteran) and Brian Roberts.
Their musicians are Paul Rhinehart on piano and Roberts, on percussion.
Together they sing gospel classics such as “In the Morning,” “Ain’t That Good News,” “Battlefield” and “Sparrow.”
In the second act, “This Joy” got almost everyone clapping and swaying to the music.
“I Gotta Crown” is the crowning number of the evening, and another rousing melody sure to leave the audience feeling revived and renewed.
The opening night reception was a fine church supper, complete with fried chicken and coconut pie.
“Crowns” is much more than the simple storyline suggests. If you’re open to it, it truly is an uplifting evening, a cultural and spiritual experience.
Director Reid Leonard has a winner in this production.
“Crowns” is underwritten by KKA Architecture, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Salisbury Alumni Chapter and Edward and Susan Norvell.
It continues tonight and Saturday and May 20-23 at 7:30 p.m. and this Sunday at 2:30 p.m. For tickets, call 704-633-5471.