REVIEW: Crowns

CROWNS – A REVIVAL FOR THE STAGE

There is a celebration in town—a revival of sorts—a celebration of heritage, faith, and symbolism.

Each night, at Washington, DC’s legendary Lincoln Theatre, six women and one man unite to create a rafter raising performance of Regina Taylor’s Crowns.

As part of Arena Restaged, a two year multi-venue festival of American Voices, Arena Stage brings us its fourth mounting of this Washington, DC favorite. And I have to confess, even through four mountings, this is my first experience seeing this exuberant musical.

Crowns is a fascinating piece. There is minimal storyline—young troubled teen, played by new-comer Zurin Villanueva, loses her brother to street violence in the big city, and is sent to live with her Southern grandmother where she learns what it means to be an African American woman. It sounds simple, and it is. But the story is really just a device to allow the music to take the stage.

Once she arrives in the South, a chorus of five strong black women, each with a story, and each with a poignant connection to her heritage, teach her everything she needs to know. Through chorus gospels and spiritual solos, these women give us the music. And their gift is powerful. The gospel rock sound pulls you along and before you know it, you are clapping and tapping right along with the cast. The cast is so energetic you can’t imagine them performing eight times a week, or at least, not eight performances at this same vigorous and joyous level.

E. Faye Butler is a standout. Her wise and sassy Mother Shaw leads the cast and offers a show-stopping performance in several of her numbers. Likewise, Natasha Yvette Williams is brilliant as Mabel. When she is in the background, you can barely take your eyes off of her. She is just fun to watch. And when she takes center stage to share her rules for wearing a hat, her comic timing is perfection. When she screams, “Don’t touch the hat!,” you know that you’d better heed her warning. And as the only male in the cast, Phillip Boykin plays multiple characters. His ability to convey emotion is tremendous, and his lush, deep voice is sublime.

However, the real star of Crowns is … well … the crowns. The numerous hats that appear in this production range from African-inspired to feathered to sequined to straw and felt. These creations, conceived by costume designer, Austin K. Sanderson are stunning and at times steal the show. In full disclosure, Austin was a friend in the mid-80’s when he lived across the hall from me at the North Carolina School of the Arts. I knew him well. Even back then, Austin had a penchant for over the top fashion, and in Crowns he has found the perfect vehicle for his amazing talent.

By the end of the 90 minute performance, you are exhausted and inspired. You have a better understanding of the importance of family, of heritage, and of finding one’s self. Crowns beckons its audience to take a deep look within, and when you give in, you emerge richer for it.

Crowns, by Regina Taylor, adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry, continues its run at the Lincoln Theatre through April 26, 2009.