Theatre Review

Cheryl Albright’s stunning musical play has audiences cheering

Don Fowler
Posted 2/25/15

Cheryl Albright is without a doubt one of Rhode Island’s hidden treasures. The powerful singer is well known in the religious and non-profit communities for her musical contributions and charity …

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Theatre Review

Cheryl Albright’s stunning musical play has audiences cheering

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Cheryl Albright is without a doubt one of Rhode Island’s hidden treasures. The powerful singer is well known in the religious and non-profit communities for her musical contributions and charity work.

Albright presented her Musical Play, “Oh Freedom Over Me!,” last weekend at the URI Providence Campus under the sponsorship of the Urban Arts and Culture Program. The diverse audience responded with a lengthy standing ovation, tears of joy, and a long line of folks who just wanted to shake her hand, hug her and, during a short talk-back, tell their own stories about how she had moved them.

Cheryl told her audience that she created the musical play by putting together four of the eight prominent African American female singers who had had an influence on her life and the lives of so many people, black and white, over the years. She not only shared their stories and music, she let us into her musical journey, which runs from early gospel music to the blues to songs that have helped to change history.

Albright becomes Sissieretta Matilda Jones, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Mahalia Jackson and Nina Simone, using only a few props such as hats, robes and other clothing.

“Their ancestral healing power in song demonstrates how music can and did lift the spirit, give hope to the soul and transformed the hearts and consciousness of our nation,” Albright said. “They conquered the double prejudice against women performers and against performers of color – in some cases outlawed from performing openly. Yet their music influenced American culture to enter the mainstream and break barriers of fear, creating understanding and acceptance.

Her musical range is incredible as she sings spirituals, blues and even operatic pieces, accompanied on piano by Thomas Reed Jones.

While the performance is an important history lesson, it is also one of the most powerful musical productions I have ever heard. Cheryl Albright is one heck of a singer, up there with the women she is portraying and honoring.

During the talk-back, many people urged Albright to seek out opportunities to perform the show in schools, churches and other venues, especially reaching out to young people who need to be reminded of our history and the influence that music has on our lives.

“Oh Freedom Over Me!” needs and deserves a long life, both for the message it sends and for the incredible voice of Cheryl Albright.

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