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

TBA

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

Artistic Team

Writer 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

Kenneth L. Roberson Director

William Carlos Angulo Choreographer

Sheilah V. Walker Music Director

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

Joseph Anthony Byrd

Cab Calloway/Ensemble

Jamal Antony Shuriah

Nicholas Brother/Little Richard/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/Clarinet/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

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From the Gallery

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.

Carrie Compere as Sister Rosetta Tharpe and the cast of 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.

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.

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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.

WASHINGTON, DC — 3/14/23 — Ford’s Theatre’s spring musical, Shout Sister Shout, Cheryl L. West’s spirited, authentic and emotionally charged story about a charismatic music forerunner and the authentic roots of rock-and-roll, opens March 15 and ends May13. #fordsshout