Ensemble Theatre :: Black Pearl Sings

Hi everyone.  I have a fabulous guest poster here today.  I can’t wait for you to meet her.  😉  Her name is Stephanie and I just know you’ll love her as much as I do!  She’s so super fun.  We’re friends that work together, go to church together, share a love of fiestaware, organics and all things kitchy.  She’s my quirky little contributor and she’s going to share about a really cool hidden gem of a theatre and show right here in Cincy!  Ensemble Theatre ::  Black Pearl Sings

 Take it away Stephanie….

Hello all! My name is Stephanie and I was on assignment for ‘A Bird and a Bean’ at the Cincinnati Ensemble Theatre last week. I got to go behind the scenes and tour the whole place plus see a great show called “Black Pearl Sings.” I truly had a fun time and can’t wait to tell you all about it.

Originally built in 1904 as a Germantown bank, the Cincinnati Ensemble Theatre (hereafter referred to as CET) is chock full of unique features and historical architecture. While it has existed as a theater for the past 28 years, CET is actually a campus comprised of 4 different buildings – 2 of which have been fused together. Since the theater used to be a bank, the tiny backstage area is the old bank vault! That was definitely my favorite feature.

As a vocalist earlier in my life (I now work as an ESL teacher like Erin), I found the plot of “Black Pearl Sings” to be quite intriguing. Set during the great depression, The cast consisted of 2 characters: Pearl, an inmate in a Texas prison and Susannah, a musicologist from the Library of Congress working to catalog the earliest African-American salve song she can find. While this show is not suitable for younger attendees, my husband and I were moved by the raw emotion and plight of both women.

Moving forward with CET, I am very interested in checking out their Fairy Godmother Program at Christmas time. It’s a show they put on for kids from title 1 schools (schools with a high percentage of free and reduced lunches) and I know some of my students would really love something a little special at that time of year!

CET is in the heart of Cincinnati’s Over the Rhine district – right on Vine Street next to many yummy eateries like Taste of Belgium and The Senate! I definitely recommend seeing a production and taking in some Cincinnati culture!