Review Fix Exclusive: Cassandra Powell Talks ‘Storyville Blues’

Review Fix chats with playwright Cassandra Powell about “Storyville Blues,” her production currently running at this year’s Midtown International Theatre Festival in New York City, which explores the journey of African -American women in a forbidden brothel during the Jazz Age in New Orleans.

Review Fix: What was the inspiration for the production? How did it all come together?

Cassandra Powell: My passion for history, African American culture and women’s rights resonates throughout the play. But it was my love for poetry, which first inspired me to write this piece. I started performing one of the poems at local open mic venues in Newport News, Virginia and received great reviews. Then, I decided to create a collection of poems/monologues, which depicted the diverse experiences of African American women.  After researching brothels in New Orleans (I was fascinated with the city’s culture after visiting a couple years prior), I stumbled across Storyville, a real-life, red-light district in New Orleans, and it became the setting of my play. Then, I interweaved each woman’s story/voice with the historical context and events of New Orleans to show the underlying voyage of identity, voice and freedom that connected each woman.

The rich, vibrant culture of New Orleans during the early 20th century captivated me, and really inspired me to create a full production emblematic of the city’s culture and the women of Storyville district. The play first premiered in 2012 at the Ella Fitzgerald Theater in Newport News, VA to nearly sold-out audiences. Then, I moved to Atlanta and presented the production again at the 14th Street Playhouse to another full house. It was then selected for the Atlanta Black Theater Festival, DC Black Theatre Festival, and it will now be performing at the Midtown International Theatre Festival (MITF) in New York.

Review Fix: What do you think you’ve learned about yourself through this whole process?

Powell: Throughout the process, I have learned more about my own voice and identity as a woman. Also, I have learned the diversity and dynamics, which help to shape the African American culture. The deep connection of my own personal story as a young woman growing up in the deep South to other women was also a great learning experience.

Review Fix: Who do you think will enjoy it the most?

Powell: Storyville Blues transcends races, but it is definitely a woman’s story. So I think that many of the women theatre patrons will enjoy the piece most, particularly African American women. But I have received rave reviews about the play from many male audience members as well.

Review Fix: Tell me about the cast? What makes them so special?

Powell: My cast is hardworking, talented, and most importantly humble. Each actor has discovered and continues to rediscover her/his own voice and relationship to the character as we continue to perform the piece, which makes it so special. Also, the connection that we have with each other really helps develop the chemistry and bond that each of the women share in the brothel. (Cast: Cassandra Powell, Tunisia S. North, Ashley Lawrence, Jules Nobles, Tanya Freeman, Trivon Howard, Chris Montgomery)

Review Fix: What’s your favorite element of the show?

Powell: My favorite element of the show is the monologues, which are accompanied by instrumentals. The monologues paint each of the women’s stories, and it really compliments the theme of the play. Also, the narration, which is performed by the brothel’s owner (Daddy Ju Ju), is really colorful and shows the vibrant culture of New Orleans, the women’s personalities, and the overall history of Storyville.

Review Fix: Bottom line. Why should someone see this show?

Powell: Storyville Blues will take you on a personal journey and help you to discover your own story, voice and identity. It explores the history of the deep South, New Orleans in particular, Storyville, and African American women during the early 20th century, which is extremely educational for all audiences. Ultimately, this show will enlighten, educate and empower diverse theatre patrons.

Review Fix: How do you want the production to be remembered?

Powell: I want the production to be remembered as a beautiful story of the plight of the African American woman, and their courage and fight to find love, identity and freedom.

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 13802 Articles
Patrick Hickey Jr. is a full-time Assistant Professor of Communication & Performing Arts and Director of the Journalism program at Kingsborough Community College and is the chairman of the City University of New York Journalism Council. He is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of ReviewFix.com. He's also a former News Editor at NBC Local Integrated Media and National Video Games Writer at Examiner.com where his work was mentioned in National Ad campaigns by Disney, Nintendo and EA Sports. Hickey was also the Editor-In-Chief of two College Newspapers before he received his BA in Journalism from Brooklyn College. Hickey's work has been published in The New York Daily News, The New York Times, Complex, The Hockey Writers, Yahoo!, Broadway World, Examiner, NYSportScene Magazine, ProHockeyNews.com, GothamBaseball.com, The Syracuse Post-Standard, Scout.com and the official sites of the Brooklyn Aces and New York Islanders. His first book, The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews With Cult And Classic Video Game Developers was released in April 2018 and is chock full of interviews with legendary developers. His second book in the series, The Minds Behind Adventures Games, was released in December 2019. His third book, The Minds Behind Sports Games, was released in September 2020. His fourth book, The Minds Behind Shooter Games, was released in March 2021. The Minds Behind Sega Genesis Games and The Minds Behind PlayStation Games were released in 2022 and The Minds Behind PlayStation 2 was published in January 2023. Hickey is also a contracted comic book writer, currently penning his original series, "Condrey," as well as "The Job," "Brooklyn Bleeds" "Dem Gulls" and "KROOM" for Legacy Comix, where he serves as founder, owner and Editor-in-Chief. Hickey Jr. is also a voice actor, having starred in the 2018 indie hit and 2019 Switch, PS4 and Xbox One release, The Padre (also serving as English language Story Editor), from Shotgun With Glitters. The sequel, The Padre: One Shell Straight to Hell was released in February 2021- Hickey also served as a Story Editor and Lead Voiceover performer. He has also done narration and trailers for several other titles including The Kaiju Offensive, Relentless Rex and Roniu’s Tale. Hickey is also the lead voiceover performer on Mega Cat Studios’ upcoming title WrestleQuest, responsible for nearly 90 characters in the game, as well as Skybound's Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood, where he voices both Dracula and Renfield, as well as several other characters. He also stars in Ziggurat Interactive’s World Championship Boxing Manager 2, where he performs the VO of nearly every male character in the game. He also worked on the Atari VCS’s BPM Boy.

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