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| Jeannette-Bayardelle. Photo: Walter-McBride |
Book, music and lyrics by Jeannette Bayardelle
Directed by Andy Sandberg
Ars Nova
What’s It All About?
Based on the experience of Bayardelle’s childhood friend, it’s the world premiere of a one-woman operetta featuring 20 musical numbers mixing soulful rock, jazz, R and B and gospel music all written by the performer, who plays all of the parts.
Shida (pronounced Sheeda – short for Rashinda), is a perky, innocent, brilliant 4th grader full of excitement about having the opportunity to go to a Catholic school in the Bronx and to learn so she can be a writer. Forced to work long hours to provide for herself and Shida when the girl’s married father refuses to care for them, Shida’s mother gives her some heirloom bracelets to show her daughter how proud she is of her of her achievement.
Shida loves school. She meets her best friend, Jackie (this was the real Bayardelle), and a teacher who recognizes her talent as a writer. Her world s shattered, however, when her mother’s lover, “Uncle Steve,” rapes her and begins years of sexual abuse. She hides her shameful secret, but starts to have trouble in school and frustrates Jackie with her willingness to entertain boys.
Still driven by her desire to write, Shida makes it to college, but her mother’s death and the guilt she feels after an abortion lead her into a world of drugs to escape. She rages against the god who allowed her to be abused and who allowed her mother to become ill.
What are the highlights?
What a compelling 70 minutes. We live the ups and down’s of Shida’s whole life in that short period with a skilled actress (she played Celie in The Color Purple on Broadway) and really good music. It’s a tour de force for this talented actress and a gut-wrenching, compelling story. I won’t reveal spoilers, but don’t avoid this because of the sad subject matter. Shida’s spirit triumphs in the end.
What are the Lowlights:
It’s hard to sit through because your heart just breaks for this girl (especially if you are a mom), but worth it.
Other Information:
Shida is presented as an Ars Nova Summer Fling at 511 W. 54 St., NYC. It runs through Aug. 28.
Christians might also like to know:
-- Drug Use
-- Sexual content
-- Homosexuality
-- Abortion
Shida loves school. She meets her best friend, Jackie (this was the real Bayardelle), and a teacher who recognizes her talent as a writer. Her world s shattered, however, when her mother’s lover, “Uncle Steve,” rapes her and begins years of sexual abuse. She hides her shameful secret, but starts to have trouble in school and frustrates Jackie with her willingness to entertain boys.
Still driven by her desire to write, Shida makes it to college, but her mother’s death and the guilt she feels after an abortion lead her into a world of drugs to escape. She rages against the god who allowed her to be abused and who allowed her mother to become ill.
What are the highlights?
What a compelling 70 minutes. We live the ups and down’s of Shida’s whole life in that short period with a skilled actress (she played Celie in The Color Purple on Broadway) and really good music. It’s a tour de force for this talented actress and a gut-wrenching, compelling story. I won’t reveal spoilers, but don’t avoid this because of the sad subject matter. Shida’s spirit triumphs in the end.
What are the Lowlights:
It’s hard to sit through because your heart just breaks for this girl (especially if you are a mom), but worth it.
Other Information:
Shida is presented as an Ars Nova Summer Fling at 511 W. 54 St., NYC. It runs through Aug. 28.
Christians might also like to know:
-- Drug Use
-- Sexual content
-- Homosexuality
-- Abortion
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