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 SHOUT SISTER SHOUT! (2023). 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.

March 15, 2023 — May 13, 2023

Approximately two hours and 20 minutes with a 15-minute intermission

Recommended for ages 12 and older

Accessible

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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.

Reviews

“Not often do you hear the voices of so many powerhouse women onstage.”
The Washington Post

“A resounding and inspiring show.”
The Georgetowner

“The marvelous leads of Shout Sister Shout! indeed sing and dance their souls to the rafters.”
Metro Weekly

“Shout Sister Shout! makes a joyful noise thanks to the star-making performance of Carrie Compere as Rosetta Tharpe.”
Hotchka

“A touching biographical tribute to a lesser-known musical pioneer.”
DC Theater Arts

“The entire cast left the audience no choice but to rise in standing ovations throughout the evening.”
AFRO News

“With its infectious energy, ‘Shout Sister Shout!’ is a rip-roaring tribute to the ‘Godmother of Rock and Roll’ and a must-see musical this season.”
The Free-Lance Star

“Compere’s performance is so spectacular that she absolutely should be considered a musical equal of Tharpe … It’s among the best singing you’ll find in D.C. right now.”
Theatrely

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)

Carrie Compere

Rosetta Tharpe

Joe Mallon

Richie/Tiny/Ensemble

Carol Dennis

Katie Bell

Felicia Boswell

Marie Knight/Ensemble

Sinclair Mitchell

Reverend Tharpe/Ensemble

Nia Savoy-Dock

Leeannie/Showgirl/Ensemble

David Rowen

Neckbone/Lucky Millinder/Ensemble

Jamal Antony Shuriah

Levi/Nicholas Brother/Ensemble

Joseph Anthony Byrd

Cab Calloway/Ensemble

Jarran Muse

Nicholas Brother/Russell Morrison/Ensemble

Raquel Jennings

Showgirl/Usher Nurse/Ensemble

Jalisa Williams

Showgirl/Ensemble

Keenan McCarter

Dizzy Gillespie/Ensemble

Kelli Blackwell

Mahalia Jackson

Jessica Bennett

Swing/Dance Captain

Jay Frisby

Swing/Fight and Intimacy Captain

Troy Hopper

Swing

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

An African American woman wearing a silver dress stands center stage holding and playing an acoustic guitar, singing with expression as four ensemble members dance to her right and left. An onstage band is visible on a platform above her.

Theatre Productions

SHOUT SISTER SHOUT! Lesson Plan

In this three-part lesson, students will learn about Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s life and how she influenced artists who followed in her musical footsteps.

From the Gallery

An African American woman wearing a silver dress stands center stage holding and playing an acoustic guitar, singing with expression as a man looks on from behind.

Carrie Compere as Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the musical SHOUT SISTER SHOUT! at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by André Chung.

Carrie Compere as Sister Rosetta Tharpe and the cast of the musical SHOUT SISTER SHOUT! at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by André Chung.

An African American woman wearing a green dress stands center stage, singing in front of a microphone with an “on-air” sign behind her. Ensemble members look on from her left, right and on a platform above her. An onstage band is 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.

An African American woman wearing a red dress sits in a wheelchair center stage holding and playing a white electric guitar, singing with expression.

Carrie Compere as Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the musical SHOUT SISTER SHOUT! at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by André Chung.

Kelli Blackwell as Mahalia Jackson, Carrie Compere as Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Felicia Boswell as Marie Knight in the musical SHOUT SISTER SHOUT! at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by André Chung.

An African American woman stands center stage with her arms slightly up, wearing a blue dress with white flowers. In the background, an African American man wearing a black suit looks on.

Carol Dennis as evangelist Katie Bell Nubin with (background) Jarran Muse in the musical SHOUT SISTER SHOUT! at Ford’s Theatre. Photo by André Chung.

Sensory Friendly Performance Materials

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