Hippodrome Theatre scores direct hit with Marie and Rosetta
Marie and Rosetta currently playing at the Hippodrome Theatre is an homage to Sister Rosetta Tharpe often referred to as the Godmother of Rock and Roll and Marie Knight the perfect counterweight in a gospel duo that began a three-year partnership in 1946. As the lights come up on stage we are invited into a funeral parlor complete with three caskets and find two African American women- a gospel singing star Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight a talented neophyte hoping to launch her gospel music career. This is the first time these two have worked together and the purpose of the evening is to see if they can form a partnership and bring their music to the next professional level.
Over the course of the evening, Marie in essence is auditioning for Rosetta. At the top of the play Marie is shy and reserved while Rosetta is tough and tyrannical. Skillfully, playwright George Brant weaves an emotionally charged story where we learn each character’s personal history and the ups and downs that bought them to where they arrive today. The women battle over gospel music styles, share their common experiences and act out their individual differences. Sister Rosetta offers sage advice to her protégé Marie throughout the evening. My favorites include “You’ve got to know what you gift is worth” and even “A diva has her limits.” Over the course of the evening through powerful storytelling and captivating music we witness two very different woman emerge as a perfect pair who go onto make gospel music magic and history together. In 2018 Rosetta Tharpe was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for her trailblazing electric guitar playing that was an early influence and inspiration for many rock and roll musicians who follow.
Illeana Kirvan as Sister Rosetta Tharpe is dynamic, comic, and powerful. She approaches her role with rhythmic abandon declaring that her “hips are her metronome.” Hillary Scales-Lewis as Marie makes the perfect foil to Rosetta- cautious, curious and selfless. But when she sings the magic happens. Together Marie and Rosetta bring down the house. Their voices mesh in gospel and blues with an emotionally exhilarating and euphoric spirit. A dozen or so gospel and blues songs with musical accompaniment provided by the actors themselves on piano and guitar soar majestically. Against the reality of the Jim Crow South, Marie and Rosetta forge a wonderfully humane musical journey providing the audience with the sweetest taste of musical goodies.
Director Lydia Fort exerts a light hand orchestrating the world of the play that is enhanced by Tom Hansen’s set design and costumes by Frank Chavez.
Marie and Rosetta is the first co-production between the Hippodrome Theatre and FreeFall Theatre of St. Petersburg. Last month’s Hippodrome production of Lone Star Spirits is currently playing at FreeFall Theatre. These productions are hopefully the first of many co-productions that the Gainesville audience can anticipate in the future. Marie and Rosettaruns through March 22 at the Hippodrome Theatre. Tickets are on sale now at thehipp.org or through the Box Office at (352) 375-4477.
Kevin Marshall for Gainesville Theatre Review