Sunday, August 21, 2016

'da Kink in My Hair

Set in a very special hair salon, ‘da Kink in My Hair has been a long-running international hit, as well as a hit television show and today finds itself an award-winning, uplifting, now musical at Horizon Theatre. Performances for this run have consistently sold out, so if you want to see this amazing work of theatrical artistry, do your best to get tickets for this coming week, it's closing week. 


'da Kink in My Hair | Horizon Theatre
'da Kink in My Hair | Horizon Theatre

"If you want to know a black woman, you touch her hair," says Novelette (Terry Burrell, most recently the star of Alliance Theatre's Ethel), as she delves into the tresses and stresses of her clients to reveal their hidden stories. 
On this day in the salon of their West Indian stylist, hurried women converge to have their hair done for dates, jobs and upkeep. But they come away with not just a new hairdo, but a lifted soul and a lightened heart. This amazing musical tells their incredible, uncensored, unforgettable tales through dance, song and stories that will move, inspire, and delight you!


'da Kink in My Hair | Horizon Theatre
'da Kink in My Hair | Horizon Theatre

‘da Kink in My Hair tells of love, hope, survival and redemption through eight women’s trials and celebrations. Each character is wholly different from the other, but the story they tell through song is a harmonious one. And speaking of harmony, these ladies voices are make-you-move-in-your-seat magnificent!

This play is an epic adventure, a roller-coaster of emotions...you're laughing your ass off throughout one scene and sobbing like a little baby come the next. Your heart will break, more than once, but you'll leave this musical feeling joyful and hopeful for the strength off compassion, tolerance and empathy that each of us can offer one another.  

This play did not start as a musical, but today features a broad range of music types and style. Some of what I heard I would call world beat, gospel, island and lounge...and humor and drama are definitely told through the music.


'da Kink in My Hair | Horizon Theatre
'da Kink in My Hair | Horizon Theatre

And speaking of music, Musical Director S. Renee Clark has done it again. She said in the sneak peek of 'da Kink how grateful she is to have an entire cast—meaning everyone in the cast—has such talented and amazing voices to work with. S. Renee Clark is also the keyboardist for the show.

Nearly every actress in this show performs multiple characters. Two actresses in particular caught my attention, in addition to already mentioned Terry Burrell. Mind you, the entire cast is truly phenomenal!

Three-time Suzi Award nominee Minka Wiltz (Patsy, Shannon) is again at Horizon performing roles in 'da Kink that tug at your heartstrings and tickle your funny bone and make you take a reflective inventory of all that makes you who you are. Maiesha McQueen (Miss Enid, Nia) is brilliant. She could make an entire comedy play of the Miss Enid character...a senior citizen whose found her groove


'da Kink in My Hair | Horizon Theatre
'da Kink in My Hair | Horizon Theatre

I've had the pleasure of meeting playwright Trey Anthony, a bright, lively and grateful artist for how incredibly well her work has been received. I particularly love her recounting of how her grandmother was the unsuspecting, yet incredibly blunt, catalyst in Trey's career path leading to her becoming an award-winning playwright.  

Billed as "incredible, uncensored, unforgettable"...'da Kink in My Hair is that and so much more.


Nekeisha, Terry Burrell and Jacquetta visiting after the performance | Horizon Theatre
Nekeisha, Terry Burrell and Jacquetta visiting after the performance | Horizon Theatre

One of my favorite Atlanta theatre traditions is at Horizon Theatre! Following every performance, theatre-goers are invited to the stage to meet, chat with and make photos with the cast. On this visit I got a photo of my friends Nekeisha (left) and Jacquetta (right) with star and brilliant actress Terry Burrell.

I sometimes get star-struck and ideas of what I might say to an admired, illustrious actor falls right out of my head. But the other times, when I'm excited but calm and collected, I very much appreciate the opportunity to thank and congratulate an actor on a remarkable performance, and perhaps glean a little something about the person behind the character that was just performed.

Oh, and you never know who you might meet at Horizon Theatre. On my last time seeing 'da Kink in My Hair, Jasmine Guy was sitting in the row in front of us, directly in front of me! She came across as the social, easygoing type, so we said "Hello", told her how much we we enjoyed her daughter's performance in Serial Black Face and how much we have enjoyed her own career as an awesome actress. Super sweet and funny, she is!





If you missed 'da Kink in My Hair or you'd like to re-live some of the snippets, check out this highlights video

Also, be sure to get your tickets to Freed Spirits, the final show of Horizon Theatre's 2015-2016 Main Stage Season. It's a world-premiere mystery-comedy set in Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery!

1 comment:

Sarah said...

The article "Da Kink in My Hair" is a great example of how hair can be an important element of self-expression and cultural identity. It is important to remember that the look and style of your hair can greatly affect your well-being and self-confidence. Sometimes a change in hairstyle can help us feel more confident and expressive. Visiting this barbershop and experimenting with your hairstyle is a great way to update your look and improve your mood. Do not forget that professional hairdressers can help you choose a hairstyle that suits you and emphasizes your beauty and personality.