All Posts Tagged With: "crowns"

I was contacted by David Dower, Associate Artistic Director at Arena Stage about the public dress rehearsal for Regina Taylor’s hit musical Crowns. Barely making it there after attending a lecture at the Smithsonian, I arrived a little after the show had started. (I’m not sure how the actors can concentrate with people coming in the door late at the Lincoln Theatre as the theatre doesn’t have a light lock – for that alone they get credit.)

The basic story line is that of a teenage girl Yolanda who is sent to live with her grandmother in South Carolina after her brother is tragically killed. She spends a lot of time with her grandmother and her friends who tell her stories of their lives and the importance of their hats, their crowns. And the hats, practically full-fledged characters, range from elegant to downright outrageous.

I thought it was interesting that only two of the actors had performed at Arena Stage before. As someone who does a lot of DC theatre, I see many of the same actors at the various theatre companies. Notable cast members for me were Marva Hicks who I remember from Cuttin’ Up and The Women of Brewster Place at Arena; NaTasha Yvette Williams who played Sofia in Oprah Winfrey’s The Color Purple on Broadway; and Howard University student, Zurin Villanueva who makes her professional theatre debut in Crowns.

The musical contains some powerful voices with some good gospel music. I did not arrive at the theatre in a good mood thanks to the rain, traffic and attempts to find parking, but somewhere in the middle I found myself singing out loud and clapping to the beat with the rest of the audience. I ran into several people after the rehearsal who had nothing but good things to say.

Crowns runs through April 26 at the Lincoln Theatre.  Read more about Crowns and listen to samples of the music at http://arenastage.com/season/08-09/crowns.

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.

This Thursday, March 26, you can see a full dress rehearsal for Regina Taylor’s hit musical Crowns for absolutely free.  The rehearsal will be at 8pm at the Lincoln Theater.  I am told that there are a “bunch” of seats available.

This production of Crowns features Zurin Villanueva, Howard University student and winner of the Finding Yolanda casting search.  To learn more about Crowns visit the Arena Stage website and blog.  You can also listen to a podcast featuring Villanueva and co-star E. Faye Butler talking about the production.

Crowns runs March 27 through April 26 and you can be among the very first to see it.  Reserve your seat now by emailing kpearson (at) arenastage.org.

I received the following from Arena Stage via email and thought I’d pass it on.  It’s an excellent opportunity for an inspiring actress.

Arena Stage holds open casting call for Yolanda in Crowns

Tina Fabrique and others from the original Arena production of Crowns.  Photo by Scott Suchman.

Ever dream of acting at Arena Stage?  Now’s your chance!

In Regina Taylor’s musical Crowns, Yolanda is a young woman who finds her true promise and identity through a change she must face. Arena Stage has decided to bring a change of new promise to one lucky, local talent by opening an audition to the entire D.C. area to cast the role of Yolanda in the upcoming production of Crowns. The Finding Yolanda Casting Search will be an all-day event on Saturday, January 3, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009). Not auditioning?  Curious about how Arena Stage casts our shows?  You are welcome to come watch the action from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on January 3rd.

Yolanda is a young African-American woman between the ages of 16 and 24. For this role, the actress must be able to act, sing and dance; previous professional theater experience is not required.

Callbacks, which will include a three-part audition focusing on singing, acting and dancing, will be judged by a panel including Arena Stage’s Artistic Director Molly Smith; the Director of Arena’s Crowns Kenneth Lee Roberson; and Arena favorites Marva Hicks and Harriett D. Foy, who were last seen at Arena in The Women of Brewster Place.

For more information, please visit our website or send an email to yolanda@arenastage.org.