NY1 Theater Review: "Everyday Rapture"
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Sherie Rene Scott may not be a household name but the actress featured in such shows as "The Little Mermaid" and "Aida" has carved out a respectable career for herself on the big stage and continues to do so in her latest off-Broadway venture. NY1's Roma Torre filed the following review.What do Jesus, Judy Garland and Mister Rogers have in common? The answer -- Sherie Rene Scott. And finding that common thread amounts to a wonderful kind of stage magic. No, I'm not speaking of magic "tricks", but rather the kind of magical synthesis that occurs when a performer marries her tremendous talents with the perfect material to produce a show that is as entertaining as it is artistically satisfying.
Scott was a big fan of the genial kids show "Mister Rogers Neighborhood" and found plenty of wisdom in his words and music. It's all part of the crazy quilt of a show that she put together with Dick Scanlan highlighting her journey from Kansas to Broadway.
Part fiction, part fact, "Everyday Rapture" features "Sherie" as a most engaging persona. Growing up in Topeka where she says churches outnumber people, she was raised a Mennonite, explained as Amish-light, in a conservative community that frowns on the kind of artistic freedom that Sherie worshipped alongside Jesus.
Marked by a stream of contrasts, this natural entertainer reveals herself to be both humble and narcissistic, spiritual and hedonistic. It sounds hokey, but she pulls it off brilliantly thanks to a gorgeous set of pipes and sheer force of personality. And she does it almost singlehandedly with a little help from a pair of spirited singers called "The Mennonettes" and a surprise guest who makes a brief visit. She talks about living inside of songs as a child when she spent hours imitating her idol, Judy Garland. And as you can tell, the obsession paid off.
Directed by Michael Mayer with a fine, light touch, "Everyday Rapture" is itself a contradiction -- both a witty parody of these confessional shows and an earnest showcase for a true Broadway diva.
Sherie Rene Scott makes fun of herself as one of Broadway's biggest and brightest "semi-stars", but her glittering performance in "Everyday Rapture" proves she is a full-fledged star on the rise.