Who hasn’t been told to “cover your head” to either protect or adorn your crowning glory? What we wear on our heads and why is at the heart of CROWNS, now onstage at MusicalFare Theatre until May 19.

Playwright Regina Taylor weaves Black American history, inspirational storytelling, and glorious Gospel music into a proud tale about finding your personal expression in an unexpected place. For Yolanda (Janae Leonard), this means she is transported from her native and beloved Brooklyn to her grandmother’s home in the south after an incident ends her brother’s life. In this new place, her rap music, flashy clothes, and bravado don’t fit this traditional culture. She learns, though, through her grandmother’s firm yet gentle hand, her church woman friends, their stylish hats and the things and people they represent.

This is a lively, joyous production that celebrates womanhood, faith, and a dash of fashion, too.  You’re immediately drawn in by Chris Cavanagh’s video and set design. There’s just enough video to add interest without a screen takeover and it’s very skillfully integrated into the set, which is elegantly curved to suggest a church layout. Then the music grabs your ears and doesn’t let go. Karen Saxon commands a keyboard that goes from orchestra to piano to church organ and back again, backed up by Preston Brown at the drums. And when the women of the church start singing, hold on to your hats, the are marvelous. Each has a story and song to share about how they are living their truth and are ready to share their life lessons with Yolanda. Danielle N. Green, Latosha Jennings, Zhanna Reed, Ember Tate-Steele, and Davida Evette Tolbert raise their voices in high praise and encourage the audience to clap and sway and join their journeys. Director Thembi Duncan and choreographer Naila Ansari had the cast across the stage and up the stairs to immerse the audience in the whole experience. Through it all, hats came off and came back on and it’s all glorious. The poignant message sings through: a hat is more than a fashion statement. It’s history and protection and a display of self, with humility and pride. It’s a personal crown of triumph and a reminder to share your love.

There is an irresistible joy in this show that makes every element of it uplifting and wonderful. CROWNS runs for just under two hours with a 15-minute intermission. Find details and tickets at www.musicalfare.com. Amen!