I had the immense pleasure of being able to see Sherie Rene Scott's amazing one woman show Everyday Rapture which officially opens today at the American Airlines Theater.
First off I will say that in the past I have not been a fan of Scott's voice, I find it to be grating and very nasal. But live the nasal qualities of her voice that come through so strong on her recordings are not as pronounced. That being said, Scott won me over as a new convert.
Her show is a pitch perfect blend of popular songs and amazing storytelling. It never once felt like I was watching a one person show, which can sometimes drag an get boring as the performer tells tales of themselves and how great they are. I feel that the reason why the show doesn't drag, is because it isn't structured like a normal one person show, with bits and stories leading into songs from the performer's career, it's structured as a musical, with a story line and songs that help move the plot along. The show tells the story of Scott's upbringing in Kansas and how her family was half-Mennonite or as she refers to it as Amish Light, and her road to the Broadway stage.
The standout songs are a version of "You Made Me Love You" sung to a montage of pictures of Jesus and "My Strongest Suit," I would explain more about "My Strongest Suit" but I want everyone to go see it for yourself, because it was that amazing, and no words I can write would do it justice.
The show is filled with humor as well as touching moments, like Scott's story about her favorite cousin who died of AIDS.
Something must also be said of the supporting cast as well, which includes Lindsay Mendez and Betsy Wolfe as Scott's back-up singers the Mennonettes and Eamon Foley as a superfan(he plays a part in "My Strongest Suit" that's all I'm going to say) who were all fantastic and amazing!
So like the title of this post suggests, if this is what the real rapture is going to be like, then sign me up! As for all of you, get your asses down to the American Airlines Theater before July 11th to see this show before it closes it's limited run and you'll never be able to see it again.
Everyday Rapture
American Airlines Theater
227 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
Tickets: (212)719-1300
Book by Sherie Rene Scott and Dick Scanlan
Directed by Michael Mayer
