Musical journey highlights social progress through song lyrics

By Bart Mendoza | Downtown News

It has long been known that music can be an instrument of change, recording history and social mores as they happen. Nowhere is that more clear than in the production “Respect: A Musical Journey of Women,” running though June 24 at the Lyceum Theatre. Created by Dorothy Marcic, the play is based on her book “RESPECT: Women and Popular Music,” which analyzes female lyrics in hit songs since 1900.

First staged in Florida in 2004, “Respect” utilizes a soundtrack from 60 classic songs in less than two hours, spanning 1902’s “Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey” to Martina McBride’s 2003 song, “In My Daughters Eyes.” The selections give a timeline for the changes that took place in women’s lives during the 20th century. From relationship adjustments to political and social upheaval, it is all here, packed with humor, fun and great music.

Directed by Sarah Shahinian, “Respect” features Nancy Snow Carr, Lisa H. Payton and Kelsey Venter, with Leigh Scarritt as the narrator, backed by a four-piece band. Shahinian has been involved with the play’s production for several years, beginning in 2009 as its assistant director at the Act II Playhouse in Ambler, Penn. Now in her fourth year with the show, Shahinian said she is still enthusiastic about the show’s message.

“I think it’s just spectacular the way the author has broken down the evolution of women using popular music,” Shahinian said. “So much is covered here. For the play’s author, it started out with ‘Someone to Watch Over Me.’ Literally, it’s from a time when a woman had no place if she didn’t have a husband, so you needed someone to watch over you.”

Shahinian said showstoppers can be different from performance to performance. “There are three big medley’s in the first act that usually get a big response,” she said. “It’s really hard to pinpoint, but ‘I Will Survive’ always gets a good reaction and so does the Vicki Carr song, ‘It Must Be Him,’ which closes the first half.”

With so many well-known tunes in the set, it is impossible for the audience to not join in the music, and Shahinian said she is OK with that. “We want everyone to sing along. We want everyone to have a good time,” she said. “We’ve directed the show in such a way that, hopefully, the women who come to see the show feel like they’re just having a chat with the ladies on stage [and] that they’re inviting [the audience] into a conversation rather than just watching a presentation.”

Scarritt, a long time theatre veteran whose credits include productions of everything from “Evita” to “High School Musical,” said that while the show has a specific theme, it is entertaining for everyone.

“It’s not just a show for women,” Scarritt said. “It’s a great show, especially for men who love women and men who love music.” Scarritt’s songs during the show include Christina Aguilera’s 2002 hit, “Beautiful,” and she said she gives most of the credit for making this production popular to her co-stars. “The director has really gathered an amazing company,” she said, adding, “The women she has hired are spectacular musicians and performers. I think they’re terrific at their craft and they make my job [as narrator] easy because all I have to do is say, ‘that was lovely; let’s do another one.’”

For her part, Shahinian said she is pleased to tell the story of women’s struggles and triumphs in “Respect,” but is also happy to be shining light on words in popular music. “I hope the audience leaves humming the songs they know and love, but [also] walks away [with] a new understanding of what the lyrics really mean,” she said. “When you put them into context like this, it points out how powerful they can be.”

“Respect: A Musical Journey of Women” plays a 10-week engagement at The Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza. Show times are Wednesdays at 2 and 7 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $42 to $57. For more information and to purchase tickets visit lyceumevents.com or call 619-544-1000.