Portraying a blend of the ideological remnants of the Jim Crow Laws and current socioeconomic conditions of the Black Belt, The Baptist Witches of Shelbyville tells the story of five generations of women living under the same roof; weed, booze, and dark secrets included.
Lucinda (Mamie Gummer) comes to Shelbyville to visit her family for a July 4th holiday. A great vacation with even greater surprises. Her grandma (Juliana Liscio) is bedridden with dementia. Her sister Birdie (Julie Shavers) is dating a felon who went to prison accused of murder. Kitty (Ashley Ward) disapproves of the relationship because the man is black. Mama Moon (Gigi Bermingham) is a devoted Christian who shoots rats in the middle of the night and tries to keep the family’s sanity, in the name of Jesus. Lottie (Angelie Simone) has premonitory dreams, usually leading to someone in the family getting pregnant.
In this play, Shavers examines the challenges of regions that have been left behind. Birdie works in a factory that seems to be the culprit of her lung medical condition. The story also delves into the issues of mental health and the failures of the healthcare system, specially for underprivileged Americans.
Taking even a closer look, the story explores the internal mechanisms of perennial racism in the South. The man Birdie is dating is Black, out of prison, and an overall idea of danger and distrust for Kitty. Although it seems stereotypical, the recurrent mention of negative connotations attributed to this racial group is a reminder of the persistent image entrenched in American society.
Through the characters, Shavers exemplifies the challenges of the Southern region. Poverty, regardless of racial composition, is persistent, curtailing a positive forecast for future generations. Low educational attainment for the working class and a tendency to rely on one’s Christian faith instead to navigate life, a common staple of the Bible Belt, is also a recurring theme in the story.
Although the delivery feels at times inorganic, causing some of the jokes to land flat, the overall production is an entertaining experience. The dialogue is sharp and the comedy is a creative way to lift up the spirit of the dark subject matter instilled in the core of the play.
Director Daniel O’Brien uses the limited space effectively, adding movement to the play with the use of props and blocking, including the fight scene. These elements provide physical comedy and three dimensions to the brilliant script.
After 18 years of running the Whitefire Theatre, Artistic Director Bryan Rasmussen continues to show his good taste in finding engaging productions, bringing significant value to the local scene. Having produced over 500 shows and more than 50 world premieres, not to mention surviving the brutal pandemic, Rasmussen has been a force of nature, promoting and nurturing the pool of talent that make up the resilient theatre community of Los Angeles.
The Baptist Witches of Shelbyville
Whitefire Theatre
13500 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Tickets: whitefire.stagey.net/projects
Opening: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Schedule: 8pm on March 28, April 3, 4, 11, 17, 18, 25
Closing: April 25, 2026
Written by Julie Shavers. Directed by Daniel O’Brien. Produced by Black Rocking Chair.
Cast: Gigi Bermingham, Mamie Gummer, Julie Shavers, Angelie Simone, and Ashley Ward.
Creative team: Sound and Video Design by David Zuckerman, Lighting Design by Derek McDaniel, Production Design by Carmen Ziller, Original Music by Cameron Clarke, and Fight Choreography by Ned Mochel.
