SISTAS: The Musical opens Dec. 16th at The Lab!

The SWFL premiere of SISTAS: the Musical opens on December 16th at The Laboratory Theater of Florida.

FORT MYERS, FL (November 14, 2022) – The Laboratory Theater of Florida will present the southwest Florida premiere of Dorothy Marcic’s SISTAS: the Musical. The show plays from December 16th – January 15th.

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.

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. Featuring songs 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.

This show 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.

Artistic Director Annette Trossbach says, “Audiences are going to love this show. 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.”

Director Sonya McCarter says, “The Oxford English Dictionary defines sisterhood as ‘the feeling of kinship with and closeness to a group of women or all women.’ 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!”

Directed by Sonya McCarter, SISTAS: the Musical features Myrtle October (Simone), Makayla Davis (Roberta), Simone Farrell (Gloria), Julissa Jean-Bart (Tamika), and Chelsea Fleeman (Heather). Choreography by Isabel Isenhower and music direction by W. Earl Sparrow.

Playwright Marcic says, “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. It is a joyous celebration of strong women.”

SISTAS: the Musical is sponsored by Art Zupko.
Rehearsal space sponsored by Winged Foot Title.

DATES:

Performance dates::
December 16, 17, 28, 29, 30 at 8 pm.
December 18 at 2 pm.
January 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 at 8 pm
January 8*, 15 at 2 pm

Special Events:
Half-price preview nights: December 14, 15 at 8 pm
Staging Teen Success Through Theater: December 17 at 8 pm
Post-performance talkback: January 8

Tickets are $37 each or $15 for students with valid student IDs. There are half-priced previews on November 2nd and 3rd at 8 pm and a new Thursday night special ticket price of $30 each for adults. For tickets, please call the box office at 239.218.0481 or online at www.laboratorytheaterflorida.com.
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NOTES ON YOUR VISIT:
****While masks are encouraged, they are not currently required****
Photography and videography of this production are strictly prohibited.
Thank you for your cooperation and your support of The Laboratory Theater of Florida.
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ABOUT THE LABORATORY THEATER OF FLORIDA
The Laboratory Theater of Florida, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts, through live performance, education, community outreach, experimentation, and the development of ensemble work. The company features ensemble productions, produces classic works, takes artistic risks, which both feature and challenge local performers. For more information, visit www.LaboratoryTheaterFlorida.com or the physical location at 1634 Woodford Avenue, in the Fort Myers River District.