Transcending the Boundaries: CHRCH, A Celestial Celebration of Black Music

Prepare to be transported to a cosmic dance floor where the past, present, and future converge in a captivating display of Black artistry. CHRCH, A Black Music Story, a multimedia choreodrama written by Seshat Yon'shea Walker and directed by Henery Wyand, is a transformative experience that blends house music, radical self-love, and a deep exploration of Black culture. This ethereal production, set to grace the stage of the Capital Fringe Festival, promises to leave audiences enlightened, empowered, and immersed in the divine rhythms of the African diaspora.

Elevating the Spiritual and the Secular: A Transcendent Journey through Sound and Movement

Bridging the Gap: The Sanctuary and the Dance Floor

The analogy of the church and the club is not a new one, but CHRCH takes this concept to unprecedented heights. Drawing inspiration from the works of Afrobeat artist Kizz Daniel, Grammy-nominated and -winning artists Janelle Monáe and Erykah Badu, the production delves deep into the intersections of music, spirituality, and Black identity. Yon'shea Walker, the playwright, shares that the subject matter of CHRCH (the first in a trilogy) is rooted in her own experiences within the vibrant DC house music community, offering a unique and personal perspective on the sacred and the secular.

Metaphors and Symbolism: Redefining the Spaces of Worship

CHRCH is a tapestry of metaphors, challenging the traditional boundaries of sacred and profane. In this production, we are not children of God, but children of the 4/4 – a reference to the house music genre and its repetitive four-on-the-floor beat. The sun becomes a "huge disco ball in the morning," and the club's disco balls transform into "two full moons pulsating in the sky." The CHRCH service is a nocturnal affair, "of Afro deities and gold dashikis," where the praise and worship are funky, and the altar call is to "altered states of being."

The Cultural Conductor: PastHER TEESH and the Embodiment of Black Artistry

At the heart of this production is the captivating performance of PastHER TEESH, played by Rocheny Princien. Adorned in glittery purple eyeshadow, lipstick, and a shape-shifting durag that transforms into a club dress, a skirt, a bookbag, and a headwrap, she serves as the "cultural conductor," guiding the audience through this immersive experience. Her stage presence is mesmerizing, particularly when she appears in a black jumpsuit with silver bell bottoms, her silver hoop earrings flying in different directions and her durag barely clinging to her head – a testament to her unwavering commitment to the dance floor and the stage.

The Rhythmic Heartbeat: Rita Burns and the House Music Maestro

Complementing the dynamic performance of PastHER TEESH is the presence of Rita Burns as the DJ, who welcomes the audience with a captivating five-minute house music set at the start of the show and remains on stage throughout, bringing a warmth and energy to her role. The house music, which serves as the rhythmic heartbeat of the production, is a crucial element in the exploration of Black culture and the reclamation of sacred spaces.

Decoding the Layers: Unpacking the Documentary Aspects of CHRCH

According to the playwright, CHRCH also identifies as documentary theater, leaving much to analyze and unpack. The projected references to "Chocolate City," Go-Go music, Hotep, the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) student protests, and the Southern Baptist churches' resistance to women pastors provide a rich tapestry of cultural and historical context. Additionally, the reshaping and reconfiguration of English into Black lexicon and vernacular offer a profound linguistic exploration, one that could be the subject of an entire dissertation.The production also features projected notable figures and establishments within the house music genre, including "Chosen Few," "DJ Underdog," and "Sam 'The Man' Burns," further cementing the production's deep dive into the cultural and artistic significance of this vibrant community.As the curtain falls on CHRCH, A Black Music Story, the audience is left with a profound sense of connection, a deeper understanding of the intersections between the sacred and the secular, and a renewed appreciation for the transformative power of Black artistry. This production is a must-see for anyone seeking a transcendent and enlightening experience that challenges the boundaries of traditional theater and celebrates the enduring spirit of the African diaspora.