Moonbox Productions presents ‘Crowns’ by Regina Taylor, adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Mayberry. Regine Vital, Director. David Coleman, Musical Director. Davron Monroe, Associate Director. Kurt Douglas, Choreographer. Isaak Olson, Lighting Designer. Baron E. Pugh, Scenic Designer. James Cannon, Sound Designer. Danielle Ibrahim, Props Designer. E Rosser, Costume Designer. Schanaya Barrows, Wig Designer. At Arrow Street Arts, 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge, through May 4, 2025.
By Linda Chin
At Arrow Street Arts in Cambridge, American playwright Regina Taylor’s award-winning Crowns – the most performed musical in the country in 2006 – is getting the royal treatment from resident company Moonbox Productions. As are the audience members. Based on a series of ‘Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats’ whose images and personal narratives were captured by photographer Michael Cunningham and journalist Craig Mayberry in their book of the same name, Crowns takes us on a journey that teaches us about the significance of hats in Black culture, tantalizes us with glorious gospel, soul and hip hop sounds and treats us to the work of talented theater artists.
Directed by Regine Vital, music directed by David Coleman, and featuring seven accomplished actors, Crowns tells the story of Yolanda (a riveting Mirrorajah), a young girl from Brooklyn who loses her way after losing her teenage brother to gun violence, and is sent to Queens to help her ‘dead soul’ heal. Queens doesn’t refer to Brooklyn’s neighboring borough but to the sisterhood of church ladies who are stewards of their communities, consider Sundays sacred, and wear colorful “crowns” to worship. The queens in Yolanda’s life are down South, and with their support, she is drawn into the world of the church, becomes immersed in Black history and cultural traditions, and comes to terms with her multifaceted identity.
In addition to Mirrorajah, Crowns is studded with other multifaceted jewels – Mildred E. Walker (Mother Shaw), Cheryl D. Singleton (Wanda), Lovely Hoffman (Velma), Janelle Grace ( Jeanette), Cortlandt Barrett (Mabel) and Kaeden Gray (Man) sparkle in their respective roles, as scene partners, and as an ensemble. Each actor also demonstrates their versatility by portraying multiple roles, including African ancestors. There are moments for each actor to shine, with Gray’s show-stopping solo “I’m Gonna Roll On,” Walker’s soulful solo “Ain’t That Good News,” Hoffman leading “His Eye Is On the Sparrow, Singleton leading “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” particularly noteworthy. An African modern-inspired solo created by Kurt Douglas, was executed with emotion by Janelle Grace. Douglas’ choreography lets the ensemble strut their stuff and keeps the audience dancing along in their seats.
The portraits in Cunningham and Mayberry’s book are black-and-white – to provide greater focus on the stories of the hats’ wearers than the hats themselves, or in other words, a photojournalistic rather than commercial fashion sensibility. In the Black Box theater, Crowns’ scenic designer Baron E. Pugh also employs a neutral black-gray-brown palette, with two circular platforms of different sizes stacked one on top of the other, providing a firm foundation for much of the action that follows. Benches placed at floor level facing the stage form a new front row of “audience” seating where performers sit to cheer on their peers and break the fourth wall. Four two-story tall columns painted concrete gray that define the playing area support a roof that is invisible (or perhaps was blown off by the sensational singing from a prior performance). Evocative lighting by Isaak Olson and elaborate and absolutely exquisite costumes by E Rosser support the storytelling and make the show pop with brilliant technicolor.
My only comment about how the production could have been better is if conductor and keyboard player David Freeman Coleman and drummer Brandon Mayes were in clear audience view. For a church-like experience where everyone is welcome, that’ll make your heart soar, head to Cambridge and see Crowns sometime in the next three weekends. For tickets and information, visit: https://moonboxproductions.org/
