Queens of Sheba
2024

A spiritual successor to Ntozake Shange’s for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf, Queens incisively calls out and lances the constellation of racist, sexist, and colorist micro and macro-aggressions that its characters encounter: the music and the misogyny, the dancing and the drinking, the women and, of course, the (white) men. Turned away from a nightclub for being “too black”, the Queens navigate the minefields of misogynoir, seeking power among the songs of Tina Turner and Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin, finding elevation in sisterhood, sweet relief in the riot of laughter and the shedding of tears. Playful, intellectually rigorous, packed with righteous fury and genuine soul, Queens of Sheba is a unique meditation on Black Women’s identity, suffering and joy.

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Presented by Nouveau Riche and Soho Theatre

Written by Jessica L. Hagan

Adapted for stage by Ryan Calais Cameron

Directed by Jessica Kaliisa

Cast: Paisley Billings, Déja J Bowens, Jadesola Odunjo, Muki Zubis

Producer for Nouveau Riche: Sarah Verghese

Producers for Soho Theatre: David Luff and Maddie Wilson

Communications & Marketing, Assistant Producer for Nouveau Riche: Yasmin Mehboob-Khan

Associate Director: Abigail ‘Töpia Adebayo

Stage Manager: Marie Angelique St Hill

Vocal Coach: Theo Llewellyn

Movement Director: Yami Löfvenberg

Production Drama Therapist: Waybria King

Voice & Movement Coach: Greta Mendez

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Presented by Soho Theatre, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Oklahoma City Repertory Theater, The Clarice University of Maryland.

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Presented in partnership with Under the Radar; Mark Russell, Festival Director & ArKtype, Festival Producer

Supported by Factory International and Arts Council England.