Not sure where to start. The play ran just under two hours—no intermission—and by the end, as I quietly wiped away tears, I didn’t want to leave. My mind was spinning with everything I didn’t know. How had I never heard of these two remarkable women? At my age, I thought I’d at least have come across their names. Truth is, I was never great at remembering band names, let alone individual musicians. But Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight weren’t just musicians—they were pioneers. And that’s precisely why Katy and I have been IRT season ticket holders since 1992. It’s never just a performance; it’s always a life lesson.
Cherish Love and Jaela Cheeks-Lomax didn’t just play Sister Rosetta and Marie—they became them. What a gift that was! The performance blew Katy and me away. I had a feeling it’d be special even before the curtain rose. We happened to meet Musical Director Morgan Stevenson—a young, beautiful, vibrant talent—and when I asked who her favorite musician was, her answer wasn’t at all what I expected. She said it was her mother. Then she explained why, and I should have known right then we were in for something extraordinary.
Director Cristina Angeles pulled off the impossible. She told this powerful story in a way that had the entire audience laughing, toe-tapping, swaying, and eventually wiping our eyes. The combination of music, storytelling, and soul was pure magic. This one goes down as one of my all-time favorite plays.
Last night was like opening a vintage bottle and pouring a glass among friends, sharing the story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight, and inviting others to the table. The experience isn’t just about the past—it renews itself, bringing old flavors to life for a new crowd, with each performance reviving their legacy.
Well done @IRTlive
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