Covid may have briefly interrupted the Russell family’s run at the Taproot, but proving as indefatigable as their onstage personas, the mother and daughters have dug their heels in and extended the run of their entertaining musical production through October 29. Director Jimmy Shields keeps the 90-minute show running briskly as “A Night With the Russells” has all three women exploring a song catalogue that ranges from their homeland Jamaican gospel to modern Broadway hits. The show is a heartfelt ode to the persistence and strength these three black women have displayed as they continue to make their way through a life of onstage performing.
The format allows Faith Bennett Russell and her two daughters Be and Sarah each to have a solid moment in the spotlight. Sarah introduces the “Little Mermaid” tune “Part of Your World” my declaring that she has decided to become the queen of her own story. Be seems to be having a ball belting out the “Wicked” number “Defying Gravity.” In one of the most moving moments of the night, Faith recounts her trepidation in performing a dance number from “A Chorus Line” until she explains that she is taking director Shields’ advice to “tell the story with the body you have.”
The beautiful harmonizing the three put together continually awed the crowd. If I were rewriting their song list, I would sneak in a few more tunes that feature them all three working together.
Music director Aaron M Davis Norman has his band deftly moving from genre to genre without losing a beat. They really hit a groove with the rhythm and blues numbers. Parmida Ziaei is responsible for the scenic design which allows the stage set to project a number of family slides to enhance the Russell’s story telling.
The final product is a moving testimony celebrating the inner strength, pride and talent these three women possess.
The Taproot has extended the run for “A Night with the Russells: The Legacy of Us” through October 29. The Taproot Theatre is at 204 N 85th Street, in the heart of Greenwood. For more ticket information call 206-781-9707 or go to taproottheatre.org.