SISTAS: THE MUSICAL Celebrates 100th Performance Today, 5/20

SISTAS:The Musical celebrates its 100th Performance today, May 20th at St. Luke's Theatre, (308 West 46th St.).

SISTAS opened in October of 2011 and was one of New York Times critic Ben Brantley's picks of the week. Along with connecting to the 30-plus popular songs used in the production, representing 100 years of musical history, audiences have also connected with the central themes covered in this 90 minute-long stage presentation.

The setting is an attic, a meeting place where it seems this family has gathered before, after the death of a love one. Three sisters, their White sister-in a law and their 17 year old niece grieve the loss of their beloved Grandmother. They have come together to pick an appropriate song to sing at her memorial service later that evening. While in her attic, surrounded by her collection of old photographs,record albums and clothing, the women embark on a historical and personal journey. They recount the days of Jim Crow, lynching, the Civil Rights and Women's movements - right up to present day issues that have shaped their characters and empowered them. In the midst of all of this, they also address the age-old conflict between rebellious teen-agers and their parents over matters of good and bad choices.

The use of appropriately chosen songs - Billie Holiday's Strange Fruit to recall the horrors of a segregated south, as well as the important Civil Rights Movement hymn, Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around, coupled with more contemporary music by India.Arie, Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige and others, provide the pacing for the show and engages the audience in what has become an interactive experience.

Five extraordinary performers take the stage each week and will do so again on Sunday, for the 100th time, with many more in their future if audiences continue to give the lovethey have been giving. Jennifer Fouché is the feisty and outspoken Roberta - Tracey Conyer Lee is Gloria, a bible carrying, God-fearing Christian - April Nixon is the uber-educatEd Simone and single mom of 17 year old Tamika played by Lexi Rhoades and then there is Heather, played by Amy Goldberger – the white sister-in-law who has married into the family and refuses to let color dictate her relationship with the group.

SISTAS: The Musical,is written by Fulbright Scholar and Columbia University Professor Dorothy Marcic, directed by Kenneth Ferrone, and produced by three-time Tony Award winner, Hinton Battle and Jenkay, LLC.

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