Written and performed by Jeannette Bayardelle, the UK première of the hit Off-Broadway musical SHIDA, opens at The Vaults from 11 September – 13 October.
Set to a soulfully contagious score of rock, jazz, R&B, and gospel music, SHIDA is based on the true story of a young African-American girl who aspires to become a writer, tracing the ups and downs of her family, friendships, and love life – from the double-dutch court at St. Mary’s Catholic School in the Bronx to a scholarship at NYU. Her dreams become sidetracked by hardship and loss until her faith and those closest to her combine to restore Shida’s hope and give her a second chance.
The Artiscape spoke with director Andy Sandberg about his collaboration with Jeannette on SHIDA. Andy Sandberg is a director, writer, actor, and Tony Award-winning producer. His credits include the award-winning Application Pending. Alongside directing Andy was also a producer on the Tony Award-winning musical Hair!
We asked Andy why he decided to work on this production?
Andy: The short answer: Jeannette Bayardelle. When Jeannette told me she had an idea for a musical, I knew it was going to be something special.
As I learned more about the story she wanted to tell, I became even more excited. I am drawn to work that prioritizes storytelling and performance, and Shida is beautifully simple in that regard. It is an incredibly powerful true story, inspired by the life of Jeannette’s childhood best friend. Plus, Jeannette has such a strong voice as a composer… so many of these songs have been in my head since the first time I heard them.
What was it like collaborating with Jeannette Bayardelle on the piece?
Andy: We have been working on Shida together since its inception, and every step of this process has been a dream collaboration. Anyone who has worked with Jeannette as a performer knows how special she is as an artist.
She is so generous of talent and spirit… not to mention a brilliant actor with a voice unlike any I’ve ever heard. It is equally thrilling to be in a room with her as a writer and composer. She is willing to take risks and try new approaches to the material, but at the same time knows the story she wants to tell. Her work ethic is unparalleled, and she is tireless in her commitment to this show.
We were doing a run-through the other day – our second back-to-back run in the same afternoon – and I was sitting there thinking to myself how lucky I was to have found a collaborator like Jeannette.
What did he feel were the challenges in directing this production?
Andy: One of the challenges with this show is that it’s based on a true story and an actual person’s life. We have had to find the balance of responsibly telling the real Shida’s story, while also exploring the most theatrically compelling way to do so.
One of the most terrifying moments in the show’s development was the day Jeannette told me that “the real Shida” would be coming to watch a rehearsal. I was admittedly a bit anxious about her coming so early in the process, but after the rehearsal, she could not have been kinder, and she thanked Jeannette for telling her story in this way. I think that really allowed us to breathe easier as we continued to shape and develop the piece.
In terms of this particular production – our UK premiere – I suppose the greatest challenges have been adapting the show to our amazing new home here at the Vaults, and also approaching the rehearsal process with fresh eyes. It can be easy with a show that one knows so well to fall into certain patterns. We’ve made a conscious effort with this engagement to avoid that; we’ve even added some new material for the London engagement, including a new song.
Finally, what does Andy think an audience will take away from this show?
Andy: Shida is a show that connects with audiences on a deeper level than anything I’ve ever worked on, and I’m hopeful that UK audiences will be both entertained and inspired. It is such a powerful piece – all at once funny, emotional, and exhilarating. Plus, Jeannette is giving a performance that is not to be missed. If you haven’t seen Jeannette live, it’s a truly thrilling experience, particularly to watch her embody characters that are so personal to her.
SHIDA opens at The Vaults from 11 September – 13 October.
ShidaTheMusical.com
