Milwaukee Rep celebrates two Black women who shaped rock history

In this episode, we dive deep into the untold story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the revolutionary guitarist who helped birth rock ‘n’ roll, through an intimate conversation with actor Bethany Thomas. Currently starring in Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s “Marie and Rosetta,” Thomas shares powerful insights about portraying the legendary “Godmother of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Learn how this groundbreaking production takes on new meaning with the revelation that Tharpe’s family lives in Milwaukee and regularly attends performances. Thomas discusses the responsibility of portraying a historical figure whose relatives are in the audience, while exploring the parallels between Tharpe’s boundary-breaking career and today’s conversations about Black musicians in rock. We explore:

• The challenge of capturing Tharpe’s revolutionary guitar style
• The powerful partnership between Tharpe and Marie Knight
• How two Black women toured the Jim Crow South
• The ongoing struggle for recognition of Black artists in rock music
• The show’s relevance to contemporary discussions about representation in music

Whether you’re a music history buff, theater enthusiast, or simply love stories about pioneering artists, this episode offers a fascinating look at how the past continues to resonate with present-day conversations about music, race, and representation.

HYFINated Conversations