March 24, 2008

Purdue's BCC, Civic Theatre to present 'Crowns' April 4-6

The musical, which will be at 8 p.m. April 4-5 and at 2:30 p.m. April 6, is in conjunction with an exhibition of hats worn by African-American women in Lafayette churches at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. The BCC-assembled exhibition runs through April 12. It is in the Mickey Shook room of the museum, which is located at 102 S. 10th St. in Lafayette, and is free and open to the public.

The Long Center is located at 111 N. 6th St. in Lafayette. For ticket information on the musical, call (765) 423-7529.

"Crowns," by Regina Taylor, is an adaptation of the Craig Marberry book of photographs by the same title. The story centers on Yolanda, a proud Brooklyn New Yorker, who has lost her brother to street violence and is sent to South Carolina to live with her grandmother.

Once relocated, Yolanda realizes that she is a fish out of water and that there is much she does not understand about the traditions of the church, of hats nor the significance they have played in the African-American experience. With the help of her grandmother, Mother Shaw, and her grandmother's friends, Yolanda is able to come to an understanding of her grief, and through the power of history and tradition she is able to forge a new beginning.

Bill Caise, BCC assistant director, is directing the play. Twana Harris, an artist in residence at the BCC, is the musical director.

"This play shows the strong storytelling and musical traditions of African-American culture," BCC director Renee Thomas said. "It's a very moving show in which hats become a springboard for African-American history and identity."

Writer: Greg McClure, (765) 494-9394, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Source: Renee Thomas, (765) 494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

To the News Service home page