CROWNS IN THE PRESS

ONLINE

• NWFacts.com: “Regina Taylor’s Crowns graces Taproot Theatre’s Jewell Mainstage”
• Phinneywood.com: “Theater, Bunny Bounce at the Zoo, street clean-up, car wash fundraiser, folk and blues in Greenwood-PhinneyRidge this weekend”

REVIEWS

• Arts Stage Seattle Rage | Nancy Worssam
  • “infectious“
  • “It’s the music (directed by Aaron Norman) that overwhelms, causes you to bounce around in your seat, and provides the greatest pleasure.”
  • “I defy you to sit quietly in your seat.”
  • “If you aren’t yelling out your ‘huzzas’, you’re tapping your feet and wriggling in your seat to match the tempo.”
  • “They dance, they praise the lord, and they fill their audience with a sense of wellbeing and appreciation. It’s toe tapping, arm waving, robust music whose appeal is hard to ignore.”
  • “You certainly don’t have to be African American to find it mesmerizing.”
  • “… an evening at the theatre that will gladden your heart and fill you with positive spirits…”
• Drama in the Hood | Alan Sydney
  • “Taproot has assembled a solid group of performers for this show to sing and dance with a contagious joy that is impossible to resist.”
  • “Willis possesses an electric exuberance in both her singing and dancing.”
  • “Hughes has a magnificent voice and uses it to great effect in a collection of stirring numbers.”
  • “… each woman gets a chance to show off really impressive vocal chops.”
  • “Vincent Orduña skillfully picks up the many men parts in the play, moving in range from the church pastor to Yolanda’s brother.”
  • “… the harmony work they did on stage was flat out astounding!”
  • “Chris Daigre is responsible for the rousing choreography.” 
  • “Lucia Francine Wiggins is the conductor and keyboard player laying out the tunes backstage, excelling with a fun bluesy, gospel sound.”
  • “As scenic designer, Mark Lund does really creative work with back wall projections.”
• Seattle Medium | Aaron Allen
  • “The women who embrace the responsibility in reviving the spirit of this heartbroken child … [are] intelligent, strong, soulful and spiritual Black women…”
  • “Five beautiful, talented and vibrant actors…”
  • “Orduna carried this role with extreme confidence portraying each facet of manhood, transitioning from a grandfather, to teenager, to preacher, to father with a smooth and versatile ease.”
  • “The five sistas, like a sorority, interpreted the meaning of womanhood to this young girl through melody and song as they rocked traditional gospel music and spirituals.”
  • “… these ladies and gentleman can sing!”
  • “The energy that exuded from the cast was palpable … you wanted to reach out and touch it.”
  • “… I discovered a gem.”
  • “The performances were committed, compassionate, infectious, informative and talented.”
  • “I found Crowns to be a five-star surprise.”
  • “This live performance is full of ‘Hattiude’ and will leave you wanting more…”