Crowns

A new play with gospel music, Crowns is based on Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry’s collection of oral histories and photographs of African-American women in their church hats. From Mother Shaw, who wears her finest hat while shopping in a store that used to be “whites only,” to Mabel, self-proclaimed Hat Queen and creator of the Hat-Queen Rules, the play celebrates the unifying force, the fusion of faith and fashion, and enduring power of wearing “The Hat.” Adapted and directed by Regina Taylor, the play features Lillias White.