Eagle Tribune
Published: October 19, 2006 12:00 am

Gaining 'Respect':New musical charts the evolution of feminism through song
By Rosemary Ford
Eagle-Tribune

Like the song says, R-E-S-P-E-C-T means a lot - especially to writer Dorothy Marcic.
She traced how the changes in women's music over the last century reflected the empowerment of women - politically, socially and economically. The concept meant so much to her that the Vanderbilt University professor wrote a book about it.

The book eventually led to a musical presentation, starring Marcic, that traveled around the world, teaching audiences through a documentary-like pop catalog of hits.

"Popular music went through four stages - co-dependency, anger, cynicism and then independence, from 'Someone to Watch over Me' to 'I Will Survive,'" said Marcic, the author of 12 books.

With "Respect: A Musical Journey," Marcic's book and show evolve into musical theater, this time with four women recounting, living and performing the music that changed and shaped their lives.

In her musical, playing at Boston's Stuart Street Playhouse, Marcic covers everything from Gershwin to Janis Joplin with humor and heart. The show features a live band on stage performing the 50 musical milestones in the show, including "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend," "Mr. Sandman," "Whatever Lola Wants," "Dedicated to the One I Love," "I am Woman," "I Will Survive," "Hero" and, of course, "R-E-S-P-E-C-T."

"I have always had an interest in women and women's empowerment," said Marcic, a former Fulbright scholar. "(The show) is about taking our own power, empowering ourself and not having to look at anybody else. "

Marcic had taken her original musical presentation to Australia, South Africa, England, Holland and Israel, as well as some cities here in the United States. In Florida, she found a producer who saw musical theater in the material and helped her expand the story.

"It's a lot more professional. There's a live band, four performers who can really sing," Marcic said, describing the differences between her original presentation and the musical. "I was never really a singer; I took voice lessons so I wouldn't embarrass myself. I was really more about the presentation."

In Boston, actresses Tiana Checchia, Amiee Collier and Kareema Castro depict famous figures such as Coco Chanel, Betty Boop, Rosa Parks and Ida B. Wells, as well as members of Marcic's own family. Kathy St. George portrays Marcic, the narrator of her own life story.

One of St. George's concerns - getting the Norwegian accent of Marcic's ancestors right. "I hope I do a good Norwegian," said St. George, who last appeared at the Stuart Street Playhouse in the wildly popular "Menopause: The Musical." "I keep slipping into an Irish brogue, because I am Irish."
St. George said being in the show has been a transformative experience for her, and she hopes audiences will have the same reaction.

"I really listened to the lyrics. When you listen to these songs, you don't think about them in the same way," she said.