'RESPECT' is a fascinating look at how women's music was shaped by the times in which they lived. The songs of these times mirror the feelings women carried- strong, sexy, respectful, disillusioned, powerful, happy, in love.
From the patriotic "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" to the sultry sounds of "I wanna be loved by you" showing the trend from women during wartime and in the work force to re-emergence of the feminine and yes, sultry woman.
Then there were the eras of women's rights, Civil Rights and the feminist movement add in women heading back to the workplace and Vietnam. By 1972 women were allowed to participate in athletics programs and by 1994 domestic abuse was Federally recognized and by to Y2K women were able to have it all...or not, as the narrator emotionally pointed out. To some the women's rights movement came at a high cost.
Rosa, played by Tracie Franklin knocked your socks off with her voice, her verve and her clear interpretation of each piece, from "Turn me Around" to "I will Survive" and every song in between. Eden, played by Kacey Coppola, sang with clarity and joy. Faith, played by Courtney Nolan Smith, was a voice to be reckoned with, stunning the audience with her rendition of "I Wanna Be Loved By You" and pulling out all the stops with "These Boots Were Made For Walkin'", Smith was a voice to be reckoned with. Finally, Dorothy, played by Nancy O'Bryan, narrated the musical journey making it personal and touching those in the audience with the stories. She also held her own with "In My Daughter's Eyes."
Set design was clever and well thought out. Lighting, though clearly planned, seemed simple, meant to set the mood for each song, perfect for the showcasing the story which each song told.
The live band consisting of Mark Seiver, Mark Kreuzer, Dennis Dragan, and Josh Weeks was nothing short of awesome. Combining songs, genres and medleys with precision and clarity.
For more information visit http://www.sierrarep.com/
by,
Charity Maness
