Andy Sandberg directs the UK première of the hit Off-Broadway musical Shida, written and performed by Jeannette Bayardelle.
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. It will be Andy Sandberg’s first time directing in London.
The award-winning production opens at The Vaults on 13 September, with previews from 11 September, and runs until 13 October.
You are directing the UK Premiere of Shida at the Vaults, what can you tell us about it?
Shida is an original musical written and performed by the extraordinary Jeannette Bayardelle. It’s a true story based on Jeannette’s childhood best friend. We’ve previously presented the show at Ars Nova (New York) and at the American Repertory Theater (Boston), with various other engagements throughout the United States.
How did you first get involved with Jeannette Bayardelle?
Jeannette and I met working on the Broadway revival of Hair, though I had seen her as Celie in the original production of The Color Purple. Throughout the run of Hair, Jeannette would come up to me and say, “Andy, when we are we working on my show?” Then, at the closing night, she came up to me and said, “No, seriously, I have a musical I’m working on it, and I want you to be part of it.” She presented a few songs to me and told me about her ideas for the story, and we’ve continued developing Shida together ever since. It’s been an incredible journey.
Why did you want to add Shida to your impressive list of credits?
Jeannette Bayardelle, Jeannette Bayardelle, Jeannette Bayardelle. She is truly amazing, both as a performer and as a person, and her passion is infectious. So, when she told me she had an idea for a musical, I knew it would be something special. Shida is an incredibly powerful piece, and it resonates more deeply with audiences than anything I’ve ever worked on. It’s an inspirational true story, and it has an entirely original score that spans pop, gospel, R&B, and more. Even in its earliest presentations, audiences would line up after the performance to tell Jeannette how this musical was their story — not only African-American women, but men and women of all ethnicities, ages, backgrounds, and beliefs.
What do you think will be different with this production compared to your previous work?
Shida is unlike any other piece I’ve directed. It is a truly unique and special theatrical experience, both in terms of its structure and its music. The running time is only 75 minutes, but the show takes audiences on an emotional rollercoaster – it’s funny, sad, powerful, and inspiring. The show and Jeannette’s performance have grown richer with each production. She has such a personal connection to these characters and this story. Plus, there isn’t a vocal powerhouse quite like her in the US or the UK – anyone who has seen her perform live can attest that her voice is unreal. Moreover, the Vaults is a fantastic venue for this show, and we have an incredible team working with us in London to bring this production to life.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge for you as director on this production?
It’s both exciting and challenging to revisit a show in this way. We’re being cautious not to fall into old habits, and we’re adapting quite a bit of the staging and design to fit the particular space. Plus, we’ve incorporated some changes and added new material, so this will be the first time seeing those changes in front of an audience – not to mention our first time seeing this musical in front of a UK audience. Shida is an incredibly special show to me, and I could not be more excited that this piece will be my London directing debut.
What would you say to anyone thinking of coming to Shida?
This unique show and Jeannette’s phenomenal performance are not to be missed. Shida is a powerful story and a tour-de-force for Jeannette, who plays the title role and multiple other characters.
See Shida directed by Andy Sandberg at The Vaults 11th September to 13th October 2019.
