A Night of Sentiment and Solace with SISTAS: The Musical at Bridge Players

by April Johnson

On Friday, September 12^th, I had the opportunity to visit the Bridge Players Theater Company to view SISTAS: The Musical.  As the first leg of their season dedicated to the theme titled “We Are Family,” BPTC chose a gem that has been scarcely presented in the South Jersey area. 

An Off-Broadway jukebox piece written by Dorothy Marcic, SISTAS: The Musical tells the story of five Black women who find love and old memories packed away in the attic after their matriarch’s death. The show explores the history of Black women, from the Jim Crow era to the 1990s – the struggles, joys, and triumphs of being Black and a woman in America told through the soulful music of songbirds such as Billie Holiday to the lyrical sound of Jill Scott and Beyoncé.

SISTAS made its debut in 2011 with a very successful run at the Midtown International Theater Festival. In 2012 it was nominated as “Best New Musical” by The Off Broadway Alliance, and as of 2018, SISTAS: The Musical was declared the longest running African American musical in New York City. SISTAS ran at the St. Lukes Theater for nine years. After the COVID break, it returned to the stage at Actors Temple Theater in 2022 from April 2^nd to May 28^th. The production has been recognized as Off-Broadway’s longest-running Black musical.

Entering the attic is the youngest of the group, Tamika, whose mantra weaved throughout the production.  Let’s just say that this song is not referring to a smoothie…(smile).  Followed by Tamika is the group of her frustrated elders--Gloria, a woman devoted to her deceased husband, her faith, and her family values;  Roberta, the vocally cantankerous aunt who has hoarded a traumatic secret for years, and the accomplished Dr. Simone, Tamika’s mother who constantly chides her for her naiveté about her life, including her choices in relationships and her future; along with the tunes she listens to. The elders proceed to talk about the effects of music, the gratifications, along with trials and tribulations of love with men.  Bringing up the end comes Heather, the ladies’ sister-in-law, who happens to be Caucasian.  Conversations further stemmed stories of civil rights, self-image, beauty and tolerance.  In addition, rummaging through old relics brought forth a savoring of legacy, warmth, and security in sisterhood.

“At its heart, SISTAS is about the stories we carry-stories of struggle, love, loss, resilience, and sisterhood. Telling those stories, especially the ones that have been overlooked or misunderstood, is vital.  They remind us not only of what makes us different but, more importantly, of what we share. This show invites us to listen more deeply, to see one another more clearly, and to hold tight to the truth of our collective history-because history must be preserved, not erased or forgotten.  It must be remembered, honored and used to guide us forward.”  Reflective of the present climate, director Gwen Ricks-Spencer, appropriately emphasized the effects and importance of such preservation.

The cast was golden in executing the very thoughts of Ricks-Spencer. Lynette Sheard shined as Dr. Simone, especially when she opened her mouth to sing. Carol Jones gave an engaging performance as the tender-hearted Gloria. Abra Watson stirred the audience from humor to frustration to compassion in her role as Roberta, the calloused soul of the ensemble. Paige Bates’ performance as the carefree Tamika served as a reminder to us “seasoned” folks that the lectures from the generations before us are nothing new under the sun. Lindsey Bader was brilliant as the assertive Heather, who was thought-provoking in debate with her sisters in law including her ancestral history.

Music Direction (and piano) was mastered by Diana Dohrman and directly related the talented Show Band consisting of John Lindner (Bass), Dave Kaplan (Bass) and Derrick Banks (Drums). Set Design was befittingly crafted by Ken and Kris Kauker, giving us reminiscence of our own domestic loft. Margaret Leone contributed as Costume Consultant, fashionably transporting us through time and music.  Lighting Design was skillfully created by Bob Beaucheane, highlighting one of the greatest moments with projections. 

Audiences should walk away with this conclusion: If a picture is worth a thousand words, an attic is a gallery of never-ending stories. This story stresses that black women are not a monolith; they do not fall under the same umbrella of widespread assumption. They can all live under the same roof yet have diverse experiences and outcomes and are entitled to respond with sentiments whether suppressed, audible, cherished, misinterpreted, or implied.  This unearthing of upstairs treasures conveys the deepest, divine, and most difficult memories--causing the freshest emotions to broil, telling collective stories through the avenue of belting melodies of glory and gloom regarding womanhood, love, religion, colorism, racism, sexuality, among other matters. Just like the attic, we tend to store memories in vaults because it may feel easier to box them up to never retrieve them again. However, we sing to tell a story, we share the stories to heal, and we congregate to remain encouraged.

If you are looking for a girls’ night out or just want to take a woman or girl that you love out for a night of reflection, please attend this production celebrating sisterhood and the importance of supporting each other through loss, love, and crowning each other with the glory of triumph.

Performances will continue until September 27^th.  Friday, September 19th at 8:00pm; Saturday, September 20th at 3:00pm & 8:00pm; Sunday, September 21st at 3:00pm; Friday, September 26th at 8:00pm; and Saturday, September 27th at 8:00pm.  Tickets are available for purchase online at bridgeplayerstheatre.com. Broad Street United Methodist Church is located at 36 E Broad Street in Burlington, New Jersey. Runtime is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.