‘Hatitude’ reigns at opening gala of ‘Crowns’

 

story and photos by Linda Kaufenberg

Fort Smith Little Theatre presented “Crowns” Thursday night (June 3) at their gala champagne opening.

“Crowns,” by Regina Taylor, is based on a book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry. It is  the first all-black play staged by FSLT and includes a lot of music. The play runs through June 12.

Fort Smith Little Theater is Arkansas’ oldest continuously running all-volunteer theatre. Established in 1947, it has been entertaining audiences for more than 60 years.

From do-rags to beautiful chapeaux, hatitude reigns. Under these beautiful hats you will find beautiful women. They share their history with a troubled young woman who has suffered great loss and is searching for her place in the world. “Crowns” is filled with hand clapping, foot stomping songs that will raise you out of your seat.

"It was very different when we began," said Angela Covey, producer. "It is an all-black cast and the majority had sung at church but not on a stage. Alisha Reese has a beautiful voice. Jasmine Kimble at 19 is our youngest cast member. Carole went out on a limb to put on this show and it has become a very good show."

Carole is Carole Rogers, director of “Crowns.”

"The old African proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ certainly applies to this production,” Rogers said. "It has taken a village of talented people, on and back stage, to produce this show and make my dream of bringing this show to Fort Smith come true."

It will not only entertain, it will also inform you about a cultural practice with deep roots in history being kept alive by African-American women in southern states.

Music Director Thomas James also accompanied the singers with Javin Glover on the drums. Brothers Bill and Jim Rogers designed the set.