If it were easy to sing like Billy Holiday, then everyone would do it. I can only think of two people who have the chops: Madeleine Peyroux and David Sidaris. Madeleine's sound is genetic and David's comic genius. As talented as Tanea Renee is, wondered what direction she would given by first time director Nikkole Salter. What actualized was a moderately idiosyncratic vocalization with hints of true Holiday popping up now and then and a whole lot of suspension of disbelief for the rest.
Now, allow me to expand in two directions. First, it's fundamentally a one-woman show about the tragic parts of Holiday's life told as she is performing an iconic show months away from her death while unraveling on a steady flow of hard liquor with a cocaine chaser. But it is also a cabaret performance, and between dark reminiscences, she sings. SO my critique of Renee's voice is only in relationship to the real deal. Second, what Renee has is a beautiful voice capable of demonstrating a range of emotions and worthy of everyone's admiration on its own. I enjoyed it very much, it just wasn't Holiday's.
As to the rest of the performance, Renee, engaged with the audience personally with a depth of empathy for her character that was effecting. She deserved the standing ovation generously offered. The other members of cast formed a jazz trio. Each man had a moment or two to shine on their instrument. The pianist, Jimmy, played by Terry Brewer was especially talented and a joy to listen to. The selection of songs included were of her lesser well known works minus "God Bless the Child," and "Strange Fruit." It made me dig deeper into my collection of her music past the Verve American Songbook stuff to earlier recordings to find some of the other songs.
The set was made to resemble the stage jutting out into the table seating of a nightclub, with patrons occupying the seats and become part of the show when Tanea Renee brought Lady Day into the "audience" to schmooze as she sang. The production was set in the fourth floor Head Theatre with a max capacity of 350, and about 325 in the way it was reconfigured for this production. It was my first play to see in that space, as opposed to the main theatre with its nearly 550 seat capacity. It was, of course, an excellent choice, and due to popular demand the play has been extended by another 8 performances through October 8th.
It's a great show, presented in a beautifully detailed and intimate setting with extremely talented actors and musicians.
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