An African American woman wearing a wedding dress stands center stage on a trellis and plays an acoustic guitar, as the ensemble of wedding guests flanks her to her right and left. Circular lights and an onstage band are visible on a platform above her.
Carrie Compere as Sister Rosetta Tharpe and the cast of the musical SHOUT SISTER SHOUT! at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by André Chung.

SHOUT SISTER SHOUT!

Dive into Cheryl L. West’s spirited, authentic and emotionally charged story about a charismatic music forerunner and the authentic roots of rock-and-roll.

date March 15, 2023 — May 13, 2023
Approximately two hours and 20 minutes with a 15-minute intermission
Recommended for ages 12 and older

Based on Gayle F. Wald’s book Shout, Sister, Shout!, this new musical tells the story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe—one of America’s most influential rock, R&B and gospel crossover singers and guitarists. Ambitious, courageous and uncompromisingly public, Tharpe became a pioneer of the women’s movement for racial and sexual equality and musical legend who redefined the national and international music scene in the 1930s and 40s and beyond. Dive into Cheryl L. West’s spirited, authentic and emotionally charged story about a charismatic music forerunner and the authentic roots of rock-and-roll.

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Artistic Team

Bookwriter Cheryl L. West
Based on the biography entitled Shout, Sister, Shout! The Untold Story of Rock-and-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe by Gayle F. Wald
Production Supervisor Sheldon Epps
Director Kenneth L. Roberson
Choreographer William Carlos Angulo
Music Director Sheilah V. Walker
Orchestrator and Arranger Joseph Joubert
Scenic Design Tim Mackabee
Costume Design Alejo Vietti
Lighting Design Alan C. Edwards
Sound Design Sun Hee Kil
Hair and Make-Up Design Charles G. LaPointe
Associate Director and Dramaturg Tyler Rhodes
Associate Choreographer Emily Madigan
Associate Music Director Victor Simonson
Fight and Intimacy Consultants Jenny Male and Sierra Young 
Prop Designer/Coordinator Marie Schneggenburger 
NY Casting Stephanie Klapper Casting
Production Stage Managers Lori Lundquist and Bernita Robinson
Assistant Stage Manager Taryn Friend

Cast (in order of appearance)

Headshot for Carrie Compere.

Carrie Compere

Rosetta Tharpe

Headshot of actor Joe Mallon.

Joe Mallon

Richie/Tiny/Ensemble

Headshot for Carol Dennis.

Carol Dennis

Katie Bell

Headshot for Felicia Boswell

Felicia Boswell

Marie Knight/Ensemble

Headshot for actor Sinclair Mitchell.

Sinclair Mitchell

Reverend Tharpe/Ensemble

Headshot for Nia Savoy-Dock.

Nia Savoy-Dock

Leeannie/Showgirl/Ensemble

Headshot for David Rowen.

David Rowen

Neckbone/Lucky Millinder/Ensemble

Headshot for Jamal Shuriah.

Jamal Antony Shuriah

Levi/Nicholas Brother/Ensemble

Headshot for Joseph Anthony Byrd.

Joseph Anthony Byrd

Cab Calloway/Ensemble

Headshot for actor Jarran Muse.

Jarran Muse

Nicholas Brother/Russell Morrison/Ensemble

Headshot for Raquel Jennings.

Raquel Jennings

Showgirl/Usher Nurse/Ensemble

Headshot for Jalisa Williams.

Jalisa Williams

Showgirl/Ensemble

Headshot for Keenan McCarter.

Keenan McCarter

Dizzy Gillespie/Ensemble

Headshot for Kelli Blackwell.

Kelli Blackwell

Mahalia Jackson

Headshot for Jessica Bennett.

Jessica Bennett

Swing/Dance Captain

Headshot for Jay Frisby.

Jay Frisby

Swing/Fight and Intimacy Captain

Headshot for Toy Hopper.

Troy Hopper

Swing

Headshot for Michael Wood.

Michael Wood

Swing

Band

Keyboard I/Conductor Victor Simonson
Keyboard II William Yanesh
Reeds: Flute/Alto Sax/Tenor Sax Ben Bokor
Trumpet/Flugelhorn Kenneth Rittenhouse
Trombone Christopher Steele
Acoustic Bass/Electric Bass Eliot Seppa
Acoustic Guitar/Electric Guitar Gerry Kunkel
Drums Danny Villanueva

Watch the Trailer

Teachable Moments

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