“Deroly and Denby…are enchanting…Deroly…left absolutely everything on stage as she sought to pay tribute to a legendary writer…” - Anne Valentino, Ph.D, MD Theatre Guide

“Patrons should know that when they come to see The Essential Theatre’s Zora, they will witness a pure display of talent and an unrelenting passion in performance that echoes the very sentiments that brought air to the Harlem Renaissance. They will witness a remittal of Black excellence in living affirmation of what was and always will be, as Deroly and Denby perform and chant together affirmations of Afrocentricism, and they will leave reminded of the generational impact left by written word and daring spirit, such as those we remember Zora Neale Hurston for.” - Isaac Welch , DC Theatre Arts