Marie and Rosetta
by George Brant

Name: Marie and Rosetta
Brand: George Brant
SKU: 9780573706417
Rating: 4.3 (1 reviews)

Marie and Rosetta Book Cover — Marie and Rosetta Cover

Highlights

Female

90 mins1940s/WWIIRole(s) for Black Actor(s)Interior SetPeriod CostumesComedy

What readers are saying

Readers appreciate the powerful potential of the play, envisioning an impactful performance when staged by the right company. The musicality of the script is noted as an integral part of the storytelling, highlighting its focus on two significant historical figures. However, some find the reading experience slightly lacking compared to an actual performance.

Powerful potential onstageStrong historical focusReading experience feels incomplete

Synopsis

Bringing fierce guitar playing and swing to gospel music, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a legend in her time and a huge influence on Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix and Ray Charles.

Marie and Rosetta chronicles her first rehearsal with a young protégée, Marie Knight, as they prepare to embark on a tour that would establish them as one of the great duos in musical history.

“It is so rare for a play about the inner lives of black women to center on their intimacy and not world politics or degradation that the very fact of George Brant’s loving two-character script is refreshing.”

– The New Yorker

Press Reviews

"It is so rare for a play about the inner lives of black women to center on their intimacy and not world politics or degradation that the very fact of George Brant’s loving two-character script is refreshing."
— The New Yorker

"A spectacular show... if much of the world has forgotten Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight - and, certainly, a lot of us have – playwright George Brant makes an intimate yet spectacular case for correcting that wrong."
— Newsday

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Marie Knight an African American woman in her early 20’s, but looks younger. A more traditional alto gospel singer, plays staid piano. Gorgeous, on her way to being a spiritual star.	female	—	an African American woman in her early 20’s, but looks younger. A more traditional alto gospel singer, plays staid piano. Gorgeous, on her way to being a spiritual star.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe an African American woman in her early 30’s. Pretty, vivacious, an irrepressible spirit. A mean guitar player with a bluesy voice. Plays spirituals that swing.	female	—	an African American woman in her early 30’s. Pretty, vivacious, an irrepressible spirit. A mean guitar player with a bluesy voice. Plays spirituals that swing.