‘SISTAS: the Musical’ makes Southwest Florida premiere at Lab Theater

The Southwest Florida premiere of Dorothy Marcic’s SISTAS: the Musical plays at Lab Theater from December 16th – January 15th. Nominated for the 2012 Tony for Best New Musical and just months off its Off-Broadway run, this uplifting hit show highlights the musical journey of a multigenerational African-American family.

After Grandma’s death, the women in the family clean out her attic and unpack love and memories. They sing hit tunes that trace the history of Black women, from the trials of the 1930s through the girl groups of the ’60s to the empowerment of the ’90s. Featuring 40 hit songs from Black legends including Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, The Supremes and Beyonce such as Oh Happy Day, Stormy Weather, Strange Fruit, Stop! In the Name of Love, R.E.S.P.E.C.T., I Will Survive, Single Ladies, We are Family, and more, this musical will lift your spirits and leave you singing all the way home.

“Ultimately, SISTAS: the Musical is a story of family, of the history that binds us, and of the love we share that transcends our differences,” summarizes playwright Dorothy Marcic. “It is a joyous celebration of strong women.”

Lab Artistic Director Annette Trossbach wholeheartedly agrees.

“Audiences are going to love this show,” Trossbach promises. “The music is iconic, the actors are so talented, and the set is beautiful. Songs like these often mark milestones in our own lives: we all remember what was playing in the background of special moments like our first dance, our first kiss, and special gatherings with friends and family. The journey of this show isn’t just the music, but how that music has been the soundtrack to our own lives.”

Directed by Sonya McCarter, SISTAS: the Musical features Myrtle October, Makayla Davis, Simone Farrell, Julissa Jean-Bart and Chelsea Fleeman.

Isabel Isenhower provides the choreography and W. Earl Sparrow the music direction.

“The Oxford English Dictionary defines sisterhood as ‘the feeling of kinship with and closeness to a group of women or all women,’” comments Director Sonya McCarter. “That feeling of kinship can’t be forced or coerced; it has to live and breathe organically and does not require familial ties. SISTAS: the Musical explores the bond of sisterhood: the good, the bad, and the ugly. It takes us on a journey through time using music and song as a vehicle to reflect on lessons that should be passed on to the next generation. It reminds us of what’s important: togetherness and love – even when we don’t agree. It celebrates what it means to be a woman in all her cultured, frustrated, enlightened, steady, vulnerable, and (Insert additional adjectives that can never sum up all that it means to be a woman) sophisticated glory. My hope is that you leave reminded of the need to cultivate that very special relationship that exists within a sisterhood. Gather your sisterhood and come celebrate the women who have impacted your life!”

SISTAS: the Musical  replaces Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Story and is included in the Season 14 pass. Those holding tickets to Ain’t Misbehavin’ will have those automatically exchanged for identical tickets (in the same seats and on the same night of the week) for SISTAS: the Musical.

November 19, 2022.