American Voices-Craig Marberry: When black women speak truth, their voices sing. Their songs are as colorful as peacock feathers, as comical as bouncing brims, and as pointed as a pearl hatpin. I always believed that the oral histories I gathered for the book Crowns would work on the stage. These hat queens, I realized, were not really celebrating their singular headgear. They were reflecting on love and loss and, most importantly, sisterhood. Come Sunday morning, when I gaze at fanciful church hats (whether in admiration or disbelief) I hear a spirited chorus. Some of those songs, through the gift of this musical, have found a cozy home in the American Theater. And for that I am eternally grateful.
An award-winning writer, Craig Marberry has written CROWNS: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats and CUTTIN’ UP: Wit and Wisdom from Black Barber Shops, both of which have been adapted into stage plays and presented at Arena Stage. Pack
Bring the whole family to Arena Stage! We are proud to bring back the TARGET Family Fun Pack: 4 seats, 4 non-alcoholic drinks and 4 snacks for only $100. Must include a minimum of two patrons between the ages of 5 and 18 years of age per Fun Pack; cannot be combined with any other offer or applied to previously purchased tickets; limit 3 Fun Packs per order.
hit musical returns
by Regina Taylor
adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry
March 27 through April 26, 2009
at the Lincoln Theatre
Hold onto your hat—one of our most popular musicals returns with a new production of Crowns. Come see the crowns worn by the “hat queens” of the South—women whose storied lives are woven into the straw, silk, wool and lace that adorn their heads.
"Inspiring gospel performances…broadly comic and mightily sung by a cast [who] make the most of each rising vocal line and glorious chorus." – The Washington Post
"A musical feast ... jaw-droppingly beautiful and spirited gospel performances...Broadway worthy." –The Examiner
"[They] knock the audience out of their seats...vocal pyrotechnics"
– Stages Baltimore
"Powerhouse voices bring down the house in blazing glory...Crowns is fast becoming the rite of passage production for all of Washington, D.C" – DC Theatre Scene
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With soulful, spiritual and joyful music, they celebrate family and faith, love and loss, seeking (and finding) one’s true identity. Based on the acclaimed book by photographer Michael Cunningham and journalist Craig Marberry, Crowns captures the thrill of self-expression with an intimate look at six women’s lives. Winner of four Helen Hayes Awards, including Outstanding Musical, Crowns is a series of musical portraits that delighted Washington audiences. See it again—or for the first time—but be prepared for the “hattitudes” that will make you laugh and the music that will let your spirit soar.
An award-winning writer, Craig Marberry has written CROWNS: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats and CUTTIN’ UP: Wit and Wisdom from Black Barber Shops, both of which have been adapted into stage plays and presented at Arena Stage.
Bring the whole family to Arena Stage! We are proud to bring back the TARGET Family Fun Pack: 4 seats, 4 non-alcoholic drinks and 4 snacks for only $100. Must include a minimum of two patrons between the ages of 5 and 18 years of age per Fun Pack; cannot be combined with any other offer or applied to previously purchased tickets; limit 3 Fun Packs per order.
