The play has a sliver of plot, following a Brooklyn teenager named Yolanda (played by Kelli Bee) who is sent to live with her grandmother in South Carolina after the death of her brother. She balks at what she sees as the stodginess of the be-hatted church ladies she meets there, but eventually comes to see that they use their hats to express their creativity, determination, and power.
‘Crowns’ musical brings joyful hymns and really cool hats to Portland Playhouse