A GOD·SIBS’ TALE: A Folk Opera
*The world premiere of “A God Sibs’ Tale” at the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City, originally scheduled for a two-week run in January 2024, was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID. We are actively seeking producers interested in staging the piece for the 2024-2025 season.*
Overview
Time frame and setting:
1957, in a fictitious, rural, racially divided community called Floyd County.
In a soaring, hypnotic soundscape blending Western music’s classical style and a Black cultural jazz/blues/gospel tradition, and vivid story-telling, the resilience of the Black feminine spirit is on display throughout A GOD•SIBS’ TALE–A Folk Opera. Scripted and scored for eight Black women, the story is told through the lens of a pre-Civil Rights Movement, racially tense, 1957 America. A baby boy born of a forbidden relationship, is the bombshell that sets a small town aflame, and is the catalyst that forces these missionary women, sheltering from impending danger in their church sanctuary, to examine the themes of race, hatred and forgiveness. But, even more poignantly, they are compelled to reveal their own personal stories…coming to terms with love (and its many variants), loss, hope, ambitions, loneliness, and old, yet still-smoldering trauma. The question of whether forgiveness is even possible lingers when the tale is told: will love ever be enough? Though set in a time gone by, relative to today, the work’s message is one of women, Black women, realizing the well-spring of power they possess when they embrace, accept and love, ‘self’.
Selected Clips
Unless otherwise noted, clips are taken from the staged reading that was presented as part of the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City’s New Works Festival in 2022.
Rehearsal Montage
Rehearsal montage preparing for the scheduled 2024 World Premiere with the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City.*
*(cancelled due to COVID)
“The Rumor”
Impending unrest threatens the community of Floyd County, Ohio…This is a small town.
“The Rooming House”
Proprietors Martha Payne and Ruby Love recall how their business relationship and deep personal bond blossomed.
“Peoples’ Blues”
“I had a life long before I became the Preacher’s wife” – Hester Peoples, First Lady of the church
“Loneliness”
“One can be alone in a room full of people.” – Mrs. Sam Stone
“Atkins’ Reveal”
Lorna Atkins, a woman of quiet repose, reveals that her father was white, a deep secret she’s held onto for years.
“Baby’s Lullaby”
A poignant aria where Ruby Love advocates for this bi-racial child who might be forced to live life walking a tightrope between two worlds.
“The Decision”
Martha Payne and Ruby Love exemplify the power of community, the resilience of the Black Feminine Spirit, as they decide to become caretakers…GOD•SIBS…to this baby.
Character Breakdown
MOTHER SOLOMON (Mezzo) Respected elder of the church. Steady, faithful, wise, of the earth. A survivor. Early to mid 70’s.
HESTER PEOPLES (Mezzo/Lyric) The Pastor’s wife/ ‘First Lady of the Church.’ Experienced, kind, knowing, dutiful. Mid 40’s early 50’s.
LORNA ATKINS (Lyric) A quiet, unobtrusive soul. Calculated, optimistic, gentle. 40s.
MRS. SAM STONE (Lyric) A woman of means. Lonely, detached. Carries a void. 40s.
RUBY LOVE (Mezzo/Lyric) The official ‘Town Crier.’ Fiercely loyal to Martha, with whom she runs the boarding house. Spirited, trusted, abundant. Late 30’s-early 40’s.
PATIENCE POLK (Mezzo/Lyric) A rebel. Cantankerous, opinionated, funny. Late 50s- early 60’s.
MARTHA PAYNE (Lyric) Owner of the boarding house, which she runs with Ruby. Protective, inquisitive, efficient. Early to mid 40’s.
MARISA JACKSON (Lyric) The youngest of the group. Nursing student. Idealistic, progressive, independent. 20s.
The Music
Full orchestration: piano, bass, and drums; a string quartet; two woodwind players doubling clarinet/ flute.
Alternate orchestration: can be performed solely with piano, bass, and drums.
Donate to Upcoming Project
We are raising funds to document and produce a marketing package of the opera, A GOD•SIBS’ TALE, to share with theater companies to consider our work. It will be produced in April 2027, so we are aiming to raise funds by November 30, 2026. The estimated full cost is $50,000 covering our cast, musicians, venue, and the many other pieces that make a production like this possible. This project is a six-day rehearsal intensive culminating in a documented public performance on day seven.
A GOD•SIBS’ TALE is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of A GOD•SIBS’ TALE must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
