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What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than by seeing a show that is all about a beautiful, sultry, kick ass lady that paved the way for classic rock and roll as we know it? Sister Rosetta was an inspiration not only to her protégé Marie but to Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and, you know, most of the cast of Playhouse’s recent show, Million Dollar Quartet. There is only one problem: who here can say they know Sister Rosetta?
Opening nights at Playhouse in the Park tend to be filled with a generation slightly older than my own. There are some patrons that may have been alive when Elvis was still playing gigs, people that likely know more than I do about his history and inspirations. A good portion of them knew about the woman they were walking in to see. But myself and the people there that were my age? We were lucky if the protagonist’s name rang any bells at all. I have to say, my strongest thought as I walked out of the show was, “how could I have never known that this woman existed?” I can’t say I am surprised: history tends not to highlight groundbreaking women of color.
The play is all about Sister Rosetta, played by Miche Braden, preparing for a tour with her young pianist and back-up singer, Marie Knight, played by Chaz Hodges. Though there’s a significant twist in the writing (that I won’t spoil here!), a vast majority of the show is listening to the “rockability” of this legendary rock star that time has not remembered. Not only was Rosetta an amazing performer and vocalist, but she was a good woman. She wasn't afraid to walk away from the men abusing her and she encouraged other women to find the strength to do the same. She inspired women to follow their dreams rather than conform to the traditional expectations placed upon them because of their race or sex. She knew that she could change the world for the better by going out into it and getting her hands dirty. For all of these reasons, she is finally being recognized by being inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this April!
It was a perfect way to celebrate International Women’s Day, and an efficacious reminder that we need not have just one day a year to celebrate the groundbreaking, revolutionary, inspirational women that are out there kicking ass: every day is that day. Check out Marie and Rosetta at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, which runs through the end of March. The incredibly talented Miche Braden and Chaz Hodges will surely have your feet tapping for the duration of the show.
*Free ticket was used, not an ad