Pure Life Theatre's Rendition of Bob Marley's Three Little Birds
Is a Sweet Show That Will Delight Children of all Ages

Pure Life Theatre's production of Bob Marley's Three Little Birds -- playing tonight through Sunday, Oct. 6th, in William Peace University's Leggett Theater -- is the end result of a lengthy process.

Bob Marley wrote a song.

His daughter Cedella Marley wrote a book inspired by the song.

Michael J. Bobbitt adapted that book for the stage.

Pure Life Theatre's Verlene Oates produced it.

Deb Royals directed it. (Royals also directed Raleigh Little Theatre's March 2019 production of this show.)

With choreography by Aya Wallace, musical direction by Bobby Sherard, vocal direction by Diane Petteway, and input from Paperhand Puppet Intervention's Donovan Zimmerman, a lively ensemble cast brings this domestic Jamaican adventure (that involves Jamaican mythology, folklore, and history, along with a HUGE puppet) to life.

And what would be a better way to bring this tale to its feet than with music from an onstage band, backing up three brightly colored, intricately marked "little" birds who take the stage for a song-and-dance version of Bob Marley's "Jamming"? Especially when the full ensemble cast joins them? The entire audience should then be ready to immerse themselves in a series of Marley tunes as the story unfolds.

Pure Life Theatre's production of Bob Marley's Three Little Birds stars Quinn Gray as Ziggy (photo by Dewayne Stewart)

The Play:

Ziggy (Quinn Saunders) is a very cautious young Jamaican boy (with handsome dreadlocks) who wants to stay home and watch the weather reports on his tiny TV. Cedella is his mother (Nicole Fuqua Thomas). She encourages Ziggy to experience the wonders of outdoor life. He declines. Nansi (Gabrielle Page) is a girl about Ziggy's age who has a crush on him (and loves his hair). He is not happy about that (or that).

We soon learn that Doctor Bird (Benaiah Elijah Creed Adesoji) is Ziggy's best (and only) friend.

Ziggy and Nansi, accompanied by "three birds" -- Doctor Bird, Tacoomah (Darius Martrell Hooks), and Montego (Aya Wallace) -- set out on an adventure on which they repeatedly encounter the evil spirit Duppy (Taufiki E. Lee), who wants Ziggy's hair.

They also meet up with a host of characters (played by the ensemble cast) from Jamaican history and folklore.

Nansi has a huge spider in her purse that may or may not be the trickster Anansi. Will Nansi and Ziggy (with or without help from Anansi) be able to defeat Duppy? Will Cedella be pleased? And what is the significance of counting to eight?

Quinn Gray (left) and Gabrielle Page star as Ziggy and Nansi (photo by Dewayne Stewart)

The Acting:

Quinn Saunders' clever, good-natured Ziggy is instantly likeable. So is Gabrielle Page's bubbly, bouncy Nansi. Nicole Fuqua Thomas hits the right notes for a concerned mother. And who else (other than Taufiki Lee) could play Duppy?

And the three birds are all magnificent!

The acting, singing, and dancing (solo, duet, trio, and ensemble) are all lively and quite entertaining.

The giant puppet (manipulated by three members of the ensemble) has plenty of personality.

The Tech:

Costume design is by Jennifer Ijeoma and director of costume design Julia Gainey. Their handiwork includes everyday contemporary Jamaican outfits as well as highly imaginative pieces for the historical and mythological characters.

Scenic design by director Deb Royals and Wendell Scott includes visuals from a "neighborhood" in Jamaica, along with some trees that look "real" in a "surreal" kind of way and a huge, happy sun that "contains" a crescent moon painted on the back wall.

Lighting design by Landon Carson captures the moods and settings.

Flawless, throbbing reggae music is supplied by a band, consisting of Diane Petteway, Bobby Sherard, Wendell Scott, and Steven B. Diggs, Jr.

The stage is expertly managed by Chris Acevedo.

Bob Marley's Three Little Birds stars Quinn Gray as Ziggy (photo by Dewayne Stewart)

Nice Touches:

• The preshow music -- one Bob Marley song after another.
• The Jamaican accents (and the glossary in the program -- read it!).
• The puppet -- everything about it!
• Fish on the floor in front of the stage -- pay attention.
• Ziggy's tiny TV.
• The lighting and piano during a reference to an incident from an earlier year.
• Red underwear.

Memorable Lines:

• "A bird for a best friend?!?"
• "Lively up yourself."
• "You are not timid, you're weird."
• "Your bird will taste good with mango chutney."
• "It sings because it has a song."
• "Life is full of danger but also adventure."

Bob Marley's Three Little Birds stars Benaiah Elijah Creed Adesoji (left) as Dr Bird and Quinn Gray as Ziggy (photo by Dewayne Stewart)

From the Department of Picky-Picky:

The program lists designers, directors, etc., up front and includes bios for every member of the cast and creative team (that lists the role and/or function of each contributor); but it lacks the customary "at-a-glance" sections for the cast and the musicians.

The Bottom Line:

"Sweet" is the best word to describe this show. It will be a great experience for everyone, including young children and dyed-in-the-wool fans of Bob Marley -- his music and his mission.

I recommend catching the show, preferably in the company of a good friend.

I also urge everyone to arrive 30 minutes early so that you can:

• Let the preshow music "take you there."
• Study the artwork on the front of the program.
• Read the four paragraphs on the "From Pure Life Theatre" page.
• Read the "Glossary" (page 4) and the "Definitions" (page 5). You'll be glad you did!
• Examine the scenery and discuss it with your friend (he/she/they might notice details that you miss).

Then sit back, enjoy, and don't be surprised if you find yourselves joining in on the chorus of every song (because "Every little thing gonna be all right").

Nicole Fuqua Thomas (center) stars as Cedella, opposite Sean Stewart (left) and Ashlyn Page as Villagers (photo by Dewayne Stewart)

BOB MARLEY'S THREE LITTLE BIRDS (In Person at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26-29 and Oct. 3-6), with songs by Bob Marley, based on the 2006 book by Cedella Marley, adapted for the stage by Michael J. Bobbitt, directed by Deb Royals and choreographed by Aya Wallace, with musical direction by Bobby Sherard, and starring Quinn Saunders as Ziggy, Gabrielle Page as Nansi, Benaiah Elijah Creed Adesoji as Doctor Bird, Taufiki E. Lee as Duppy, Nicole Fuqua Thomas as Cedella, Aya Wallace as Montego, Darius Martrell Hooks as Tacoomah, Spencer Powell Phillips as Great Grandfather Spanish Bird, Alexandra Finazzo as Great Grandmother British Bird, Christa Irby as Spanish Colonizer Bird, Dylan Bailey as British Colonizer Bird, Verlene Gainey Oates as Great Aunt African Bird, Essi Sings as Sister Indian Bird, and Veniza Catlett as Cousin Chinese Bird, plus Villagers that include Brenda Bailey, Christa Irby, Dylan Bailey, Verlene Oates, Essi Sings, Veniza Catlett, Sean Stewart, Ashlynn Page, Jada Scott, and Evan Maurer (Pure Life Theatre in the Leggett Theater on the second floor of Main Building at William Peace University in Raleigh). PRESENTER: https://www.purelifetheatre.com/, https://www.facebook.com/purelifetheatre/, https://www.instagram.com/purelifetheatre/, and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc4CsZ5WoMaPwoHtKjCHLxA. 2024-25 SEASON: https://www.purelifetheatre.com/upcoming-events. VENUE: https://www.visitraleigh.com/listing/leggett-theatre-at-william-peace-university/59630/, DIRECTIONS: https://www.google.com/maps/. BOB MARLEY'S THREE LITTLE BIRDS (musical): https://www.concordtheatricals.com/p/65834/bob-marleys-three-little-birds and https://www.cedellamarley.com/author/rnr1q9vyvgsfprogkd5wml038ij0uu. BOB MARLEY (Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter, nee Robert Nesta Marley, 1945-81): https://www.bobmarley.com/, https://www.biography.com/musicians/bob-marley, https://rockhall.com/inductees/bob-marley/, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002490/, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Marley, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marley. CEDELLA MARLEY (Jamaican singer, actress, and author): https://www.cedellamarley.com/, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0549126/, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedella_Marley. MICHAEL J. BOBBITT (Washington, DC-born playwright): https://www.concordtheatricals.com/a/119416/michael-j-bobbitt, https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/265928-michael-j-bobbitt, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_J._Bobbitt. NOTE: Arts Access, Inc. of Raleigh will audio-describe the show's 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6th, performance. TICKETS: $32.50 general admission ($28 students and $30 seniors 55+ and active-duty military personnel), except $26 per person for groups of 10 or more, plus taxes and fees. Click here to buy tickets. INFORMATION: 919-839-9505 or purelifetheatre@gmail.com. PLEASE DONATE TO: Pure Life Theatre.

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