‘Marie & Rosetta’ soars on the musical wings of rock ’n’ roll, gospel pioneer

Marie Knight (Alexis J. Roston, left) and Sister Rosetta Tharpe (Bethany Thomas) form a powerful music partnership in “Marie and Rosetta” at Northlight Theatre. (Michael Brosilow)

Early on in the dramatically rich, musically irresistible “Marie and Rosetta,” actor Bethany Thomas — playing “godmother of rock ’n’ roll” Sister Rosetta Tharpe — unleashes a pile-driving rendition of the bluesy, soulful “This Train.” 

It’s a finale-intense showstopper, but after the last, clarion call chorus, Rosetta insists she’s just getting warmed up. And so she is.