Shida, a new musical, written and performed by Jeannette Bayardelle, star of The Color Purple and Hair on Broadway, directed by Andy Sandberg, will have a two-night, limited engagement in Los Angeles.
Presented by I’m Every Woman Productions, performances will be on Friday, July 10, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, July 11, at 7 p.m. at West Angeles Performing Arts Theatre, 3020 Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Set to a soulful score of rock, jazz, R&B and gospel music, Shida is a one-woman play, which runs 70-minutes without an intermission. Based on the true story of a young African-American girl who aspires to become a writer, the musical traces the ups and downs of her family, friendships, and love life.
It begins on the double-dutch court at St. Mary’s Catholic School in the Bronx to a scholarship at NYU. Shida’s dreams become sidetracked by hardship and loss until her faith and those closest to her combine to restore Shida’s hope and give her a second chance. The production is a tour-de-force for Ms. Bayardelle, who portrays multiple roles, takes us through Shida’s powerful, funny and inspirational story.
Shida received its world premiere with a highly successful Off-Broadway engagement in New York, earning Jeannette Bayardelle a 2013 AUDELCO Award for Outstanding Solo Performance and receiving additional nominations for Best Musical, Best Director (Andy Sandberg), and Best Music Direction (Jesse Vargas). Shida was, subsequently, presented by the celebrated American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA, where it received a 2015 IRNE Award nomination for Best Solo Show.
Bayardelle has received numerous positive reviews around the country: “An impressive voice… an impressive performance…The work of a quadruple threat.” (New York Times)
“Bayardelle is nothing short of Astonishing!” (Chicago Sun-Times) “An inspirational masterpiece!” (Electric Link) “Shida is awesomely transformative! Jeannette Bayardelle’s fast-paced, biographical glimpse at a modern day black woman’s tragedies and triumphs packs a punch. A must-see experience.” (Uptown Magazine)
General admission tickets are $25 per person in advance (open seating) and $30 at the door. There is also a group rate of $20 for ten or more. Tickets may be purchased online at iewproductions.com, in person at the West Angeles Performing Arts Theatre or by calling 323-733-8707.
I’m Every Woman (IEW) is a non-profit organization founded and operated by Solombra Ingram.
