Guuurrrrl, let's be goin' to the MetroStage to see why in the world those Three Sistahs are back for the fourth time!
It's because, girlfriend, those Sistahs are great! They put on a really good show, with plenty of action and dynamics to keep your blood flowin' fast. And, guuurrrrlll, can they sing! Pour it on, Mama!
Those Sistahs are lovin' what they do! They prance and dance all over that stage and yell at each other, just like real sistahs! And they have a white cloth they throw around all the livelong play. I know they'd be lost without it. What a useful prop!
"The ring! Daddy's ring! Where is it? Who's got it?"
The sisters gather together in their daddy's house after their brother's early death, and after their parents', but it's the daddy who's the subject of most of the talk.
What's left? Each other? A husband, whom Marsha (Kara-Tameika Watkins) ain't too proud to have.
They meet to pick up the pieces and let it all hang out which they do to song in the production written and directed by Thomas W. Jones II.
The time is 1969 after the death of Martin Luther King Jr. and the youngest sister, Irene (Ayana Reed), in an almost perpetual frown, is the prickly protestor who stands her ground with her sisters who are inclined to tolerate the status quo.
These are sophisticated women who ain't takin' no words from nobody about how to live their lives, no sirree. "I'll do it on my own, please and thank you, without any advice from the likes of you, my dear sistah!"
Unlike most musicals when you can't make out all the words, these voices are strong and the words, easy to follow as the women lay out their past and grievances with each other and their dad.
Alexander Keen fills the centerpiece with sexy blue lighting in the best scene when Olive (Roz White) relives her "first time" with "Cadillac" in a one-woman demonstration which lights human fires all around. I declare she could heat up all of Washington, D.C. were she to perform outside.
Ummmm, ummmm, ummmm, girlfriend. I need a cloth to wipe my brow!
Remarkable direction and Ms. White's performance become an acting class. (She's one of the original actors from MetroStage's first Sistahs presented in 2002.)
These ladies are sure to delight womenfolk with sisters who will recognize some, maybe all, the elements in the conversations. But, do ladies say bad words like this?
Pianist William Knowles leads bassist Yusef Chisholm and percussionist Greg Holloway off-stage in all styles of music and welcome accompaniment.
Michael Sharp's costumes are refined without being obtrusive.
The set by Carl Gudenius and Nancy Bundy is appropriate, balanced just right without unnecessary complexity to detract from the message which is: I've got to put up with you so we might as well make the most of it and love each other while we can.
Amen, sistah!
Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin, a theatre icon herself, knows a good thing when she's got it.
Other crew members are William G. Wacker, sound; Michael Sharp, stage manager; and Joshua Stout, assistant stage manager
What: Three Sistahs with story by Janet Pryce and music by William Hubbard
When: Through February 24, 2019 on Thursday through Saturday nights at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. and weekend matinees at 3 p.m.
Where: MetroStage, 1201 North Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Tickets: $55. Call the Box Office (703-548-9044).
Duration: Two hours with one 15-minute intermission
Refreshments: Available and may be taken to seats
Parking: On-site and free (enter on Third Street) or park on the street.
patricialesli@gmail.com
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