| Michael Jackson and Jerry Greenberg are the executive producers of the
musical 'Sisterella', which opened at the Pasadena Playhouse (CA, USA) on
March 17, 1996. The play is a black musical adaptation of the Cinderella
story set in turn-of-the-century New York. Michael Jackson attended the
last showing of the play.
Larry Hart, who wrote the book, music, and lyrics, is a
Grammy-award-winning gospel singer and song writer based in Las Vegas.
Michael Jackson became involved with the production when Larry Hart,
who also stars in the show, presented the original music tracks to him.
Michael saw the potential of Sisterella's music and immediately acquired
the soundtrack rights and signed Larry Hart to a solo record deal.
MJJ Music released a cast album of the same name.
The 'Sisterella' stage production also appeared in some parts of
Europe, such as Germany (Dec 1996), and premiered in Melbourne, Australia
at 'The Regent Theatre' on March 7, 1998.
Description as it appeared in the program:
The show is set in New York in 1912. Multi-millionaire John
Kensington has died and is survived by his Ella, his second wife Dahlia
and his stepdaughters Magnolia and Chrysanthemum. Dahlia plays the role
of the grieving widow, anticipating inheriting his entire estate valued
at over 900 million dollars. Later, it is discovered that Ella is going
to inherit the estate from her father, a fact that leaves her stepmother
and two stepsisters quite jealous and disturbed. In an attempt to secure
the inheritance for themselves, the evil stepfamily devises a dastardly
plot for Ella's demise. There's a prince. There's even a fairy
Godfigure. There are lawyers, a court case and a trial. And a very happy
ending.
Sisterella, with its dynamic staging, lavish costuming, lighting and
special effects, rousing toe-tapping, hand-clapping music with lyrics
that are clever, funny and satirical is a new musical not to be missed!
Raymond Del Barrio, choreographer combines ballet with modern dance,
waltzes, moonwalks, acrobatics and dozens of other styles to fill the
stage with constant movement.
In November, 1996, 'Sisterella' won 8 NAACP Theatre Awards (out of 12
nominations), more than any other production: Best Play, Best Director
(David Simmons), Best Musical Director (Matthew Sklar), Best Set Design
(Gary Wissman), Best Supporting Performance Actor (Ralph Cole, Jr.), Best
Performance Actress (Yvette Cason), Best Costumes (Pasquale Spezzano),
Best Choreographer (Raymond G. del Barrio). |
