Indiana Repertory Theatre Puts the Spotlight on the Unsung “Godmother of Rock ‘n’ Roll”

The Indiana Repertory Theatre opens Marie and Rosetta, presented by Corteva Agriscience, October 28 – November 23 on the Janet Allen Stage. Written by George Brant and directed by Cristina Angeles, this magnetic play with music unearths the roots of the fearless “Godmother of Rock ’n’ Roll”, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and her wide-eyed protégée Marie Knight, as they begin their revolutionary ascent to become one of the most influential teams in music history. 

"Marie and Rosetta illuminates the untold story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe—a Black woman whose music shaped American rock and roll. The production is a powerful reminder of the voices that history too often silences and how determination and groundbreaking talent can shake the foundations of culture," IRT’s Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director Benjamin Hanna said.

Grammy-nominated Tharpe is an unsung influence on artists like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Isaac Hayes, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Tina Turner, and others. She became one of the first commercially successful gospel singers, toured the US and Europe, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.

“What a privilege it’s been to dive into Rosetta’s and Marie’s stories, especially with this group of collaborators. Our goal is to create a show that connects these women’s stories to the present, emphasizing that it was not only their individual talents, but their collective force that inspired so many others,” Director Cristina Angeles said. “Without Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight, there would be no Whitney, no Janet, no Aretha, no Tina, no Beyoncé. Can you imagine?”

Directing the music of the production is Morgan E. Stevenson, a Chicago-based music director, musician, and educator. She has previously worked at the IRT on Nina Simone: Four Women, Fannie: The Life and Music of Fannie Lou Hamer, and Little Shop of Horrors.

The Theatre will host supplemental programming during the run of the show, including Artist Conversations that provide a behind-the-scenes perspective on the production, an ASL/AD performance, and the special Opening Night celebration. There will also be a Community Conversation, in partnership with Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, that celebrates the trailblazing women of color whose work was foundational yet rarely credited in shaping American music.

Tickets are available now for Marie and Rosetta, presented by Corteva Agriscience.

DETAILS

WHERE: Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington Street | Janet Allen Stage

RUN DATES:  October 28 – November 23, various times. Marie and Rosetta is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, with no intermission. Tickets and performance schedule available at IRTlive.com.

TICKETS: Tickets start at $27. Click to buy now.