Revolutionary Women in Blues
Created by Divine Brown
Written by Sarah Wilson with Divine Brown
Directed by Raha Javanfar
Music Directed by Joel Joseph and Divine Brown
A Soulpepper World Premiere Concert
August 13 – 23, 2026
Tickets: Starting at $40
The Blues is the sound of cultural resilience, and while the genre is the foundation for modern music, the stories of the women who shaped it are often unseen and unheard.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ma Rainey, and Bessie Smith lived exciting, courageous, and wild lives, all while quietly shaping American culture through music and more. Ma Rainey is now known as The Mother of Blues, Sister Rosetta as The Godmother of Rock & Roll, and Bessie Smith as, The Empress Of Blues.
Join creator and star Divine Brown (Billie, Sarah and Ella: Revolutionary Women in Jazz) and an all-star team of performers and musicians as they bring us the story of these three extraordinary and revolutionary women.
WORLD PREMIERE
Baillie Theatre
at Soulpepper Theatre
Music Sponsor
The Slaight Family Foundation
Performance Host
TMX
SATE
Featured Performer
Joanna Majoko
Featured Performer
Joel Joseph
Musician - Keys
Shelkah Francis-Williams
Musician - Saxophone
Worrell McFarlance
Musician - Drums
Heather Crawford
Musician - Guitar
Etric Lyons
Musician - Bass
Divine Brown
Creator
Raha Javanfar
Director
Joel Joseph
Music Director
Sarah Wilson
Writer
Frank Donato
Lighting Designer
Colton Stang
Sound Designer
Emilie Aubin
Stage Manager
Nazerah Carlisle
Assistant Stage ManagerMusic Sponsor & Performance Host
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