RIGHT ANGLE ENTERTAINMENT
&
MAPLE TREE ENTERTAINMENT
Produced in cooperation with
THE FRANKLIN ESTATE
Present
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
A CELEBRATION OF THE MUSIC OF ARETHA FRANKLIN®
Lighting Design & Operation: RUBY LEIGH
Lead Audio: RODERICK VINCENT
Stage Manager/ Audio Engineer: RAECHELLE STEWARD
Video Design: TAYLOR EDELLE STEWART
Wardrobe Supervisor: ANTONIO CONSUEGRA
Company Manager: MICKEY MULCAHY
Production Manager: CODY MURRAY
General Management: JOE RUFFNER
Choreography: ANTHONY MURPHY
Superving Music Director: DARNELL WHITE
Music Director: JOSHUA VASQUEZ
Director
DEAN ELLIOTT
*Aretha Franklin’s name and likeness used with permission from the Aretha Franklin® Estate.
Cristina Raè | Lead VocalistCristina Raè, an extraordinary Nashville performer and America’s Got Talent Season 15 standout, recently debuted on Broadway in The Wiz. Her relentless pursuit of dreams inspires everyone around her.
Tiyanna Gentry | VocalistTiyanna Gentry is beyond EXCITED to be making her North American Tour Debut!! She is based in Chicago, IL, and was just previously seen in the Midwest premiere of Frozen at the Paramount Theatre! Her professional credits also include: Fully Monty and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Paramount Theatre), Beehive andBeautiful (Marriott Theatre) , Rock of Ages as Justice, and Boeing Boeing as Gloria (Hope Repertory Theatre). TV: The Chi as a singer. She performed in the 2018 Jimmy Awards and is happily repped by DDO Artists Chicago! She wants to thank
Miss Aretha and the Franklin Estate for this amazing opportunity! Instagram: @t.iyannna - Spread Love <3
Demiah Latreece | VocalistDemiah Latreece, born in Houston, Texas and currently residing in New York City, is a proud graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. With five years performing with the Broadway Dreams non-profit and taking strides to perform all across New York City, Demiah is ecstatic to join R.E.S.P.E.C.T. A Celebration of the Music of ARETHA FRANKLIN. “You’re not meant for this career if you don’t fight and work for it.” Instagram: @thedemiahlatreece_
Jaymyria Etienne | Swing
Born and raised in Atlanta, Jaymyria pursued a degree in Musical Theatre and Sociology at the University of North Georgia. Throughout her career, she has been blessed to play a myriad of roles including Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls (Atlanta Lyric Theatre), Armelia in Ain't Misbehavin' (Peach State Theatre), and Maggie Holmes in Working (Alliance Theatre). Most recently she could be seen working “hard for the money” as Diva Donna in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on The Norwegian Prima. When not on stage, Jaymyria enjoys cycling, doing puzzles and taking naps.
TJ Griffin | Drums
New York born and raised! Everything for me began in church and music is a big part of my family. From church I then started to perform throughout the city to other places in and outside the country, never taking the gift God has given me for granted. I’ve worked with amazing people so far in my career and am thankful to work with more for this tour.
Osei Kweku | Bass
Osei Kweku is a Los Angeles born bassist, rapper and self diagnosed Keeper of the Funk. Having grown up in Los Angeles, oldies/throwback radio was staple in his life, so much of his major influence comes from the likes of Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin....you know the rest. Kweku attended The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music from 2012-15 and has since traveled the world as a freelance bass player. Playing on shows like Michael Jackson tribute shows “I Am King” and “Invincible”, Rennie Harris’s “Funkedified”, Oya Festival in Norway, hosting a jam session in NYC and has made a couple on screen appearances in “Vinyl”, “The Irishman”, “The Only Living Boy in New York”.
Joshua Vasquez is a guitarist from San Diego, CA. At the age of 12 he was inspired by classmates at the time to pick up the guitar and eventually decided to pursue it as a career.
His pursuit brought him first to the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts and upon graduation began attending Berklee College of Music in fall 2013. At Berklee he studied with some of the most renowned teachers in contemporary guitar education. Teachers such as Rick Peckham, Tim Miller, Mike Williams(once a teacher to John Mayer), and Mick Goodrick.
Since graduating from Berklee in 2017, Josh has been working as a freelance player and session guitarist in the southern california area. Doing everything from recording for up and coming artists and video games to being in music videos and playing for theater.His accolades include improvisation awards from several jazz festivals and being a semi-finalist in Guitar Center's King of the Blues competition in 2011.
Michael Williams | KeysMichael Williams hails from Staten Island, New York. His musical roots go back to Mt. Sinai United Christian Church under the leadership of Rev. Victor Brown. It is there where he discovered the Hammond Organ at the age of 12 and fell in love with it. From then on he he’d be married to music for life. Since then he’s gone on to play for Evelyn Champaigne King, Melba Moore, Mel’isa Morgan, Cece Peniston and many local acts in the Greater NYC area. He also works as an actor having made appearances in several national television shows. He gives honor to The Lord Jesus Christ in everything he does.
*Aretha Franklin’s name and likeness used with permission from the Aretha Franklin® Estate.
Rejoice while you are taken on an intimate musical odyssey guaranteed to get you up and out of your seat and dancing! The production journeys through Aretha Franklin’s courageous life of love, tragedy and triumph starring a live band, supreme vocalists and a night full of music by one of the greatest artists of all time.
"Natural Woman,” “Think,” “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” “Chain of Fools,” “Respect
CHAIN OF FOOLS
YOU’RE ALL I NEED TO GET BY PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE MY HAND PIECE OF MY HEART
DR. FEELGOOD
DAY DREAMING
ROCK-A-BYE YOUR BABY... MOCKINGBIRD
SON OF A PREACHER MAN
A CHANGE IS GONNA COME
I NEVER LOVED A MAN
I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER NATURAL WOMAN
SWEET SWEET BABY
*Aretha Franklin’s name and likeness used with permission from the Aretha Franklin® Estate.
ACT TWO
BABY, I LOVE YOU
ROCK STEADY
UNTIL YOU COME BACK TO ME AIN’T NO WAY
FREEWAY OF LOVE
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING SISTERS ARE DOING IT
NESSUN DORMA
THINK
RESPECT
Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul," was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee. She began her career singing gospel at her father's church in Detroit, Michigan. Franklin's powerful, emotive voice and extraordinary musical talent quickly propelled her to fame. Her breakthrough came in 1967 with the release of "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)," followed by iconic hits like "Respect," "Chain of Fools," and "Natural Woman." These songs not only showcased her vocal prowess but also became anthems of the civil rights and feminist movements.
Throughout her career, Franklin amassed 18 Grammy Awards and, in 1987, was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her music transcended genres, blending soul, R&B, gospel, and pop, and her influence extended far beyond the music industry. She was a symbol of empowerment and resilience, using her platform to advocate for racial and gender equality.Franklin's legacy continues to inspire artists and fans worldwide. Her music remains a staple in American culture, celebrated for its emotional depth and cultural significance.
To honor Aretha Franklin's enduring legacy, we present "R.E.S.P.E.C.T.: A Celebration of the Music of Aretha Franklin." This concert experience takes audiences on a journey of love, tragedy, courage, and triumph. This concert will feature performances of her greatest hits by supreme vocalists and an electrifying live band, set against the backdrop of video screen graphics highlighting the imagery and photos of the time. This celebration of Aretha Franklin's life and legacy will feature all your favorite hits in one evening, including "Natural Woman,” “Think,” “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” “Chain of Fools,” “Respect,” and many more.
*Aretha Franklin’s name and likeness used with permission from the Aretha Franklin® Estate
You won’t want to miss this night of powerful performances, heartfelt memories, and communal appreciation of the Queen of Soul's timeless contributions to music and culture.
