By Claire DeMarco
Billie Holiday, famous jazz and swing singer/songwriter was born as Eleanora Fagan. She had a problematic childhood, grew up poor, was forced to work at a very young age. A major relief that helped allay this troubled environment was her exposure to black entertainers like Louis Lanie Robertson’s musical play tells Billie Holiday’s (Gabrielle Lee) life story. Based on stories about the famous icon and the selection of some of the songs she made famous, we have a perspective of the turbulent life she led. This musical play was based on one of Holiday’s last performances before her early death.
Note: Longtime musical partner, Lester Young, gave Holiday the nickname Lady Day.
Lee shines as Holiday. She has total command of the stage. Interspersed with the songs is the verbal walkthrough of Holiday’s life from her turbulent childhood to encounters with racism to drug and alcohol abuse. Lee subtly develops the transition in her character from a singer with a bit too much to drink to a totally intoxicated woman as she continues her life story.
Lee’s performance is anything but static. She often interacts directly with the audience, coming down from the stage, talking to them, pulling them into her world.
Her excellent acting is complimented by a beautiful singing voice. What a delight to hear her renditions of songs like “When a Woman Loves a Man”, “Somebody’s on My Mind” and “God Bless the Child” (a song she wrote for her mother) and “T’ain’t Nobody’s Business if I Do,” Lee’s delivery of “Strange Fruit” was especially poignant.
Kenney Green-Tilford plays Jimmy Powers, Holiday’s pianist and longtime confidant. Green-Tilford is also the musical conductor for this production.
Bow Wow to Scrappy Mason making his on-stage debut as Holiday’s canine companion, Pepi!
“Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grille” is a fantastic start to Pittsburgh CLO’s 78th season.
Musical play by Lanie Robertson.
Scenic Designer Holly M. Fleischer captures the essence of a well-worn nightclub with a massive brick wall as the backdrop. The use of minimal physical props allows the attention to rest solely on Lee.
Great job by Director Tomé Cousin.
-CED
“Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” is a production of the Pittsburgh CLO. Performances run from May 17th – June 30th at the Greer Cabaret Theater. For more information, click here.
[Please note the following from Pittsburgh CLO: Gabrielle Lee will perform the role of Billie Holiday for all performances May 17th-31st and then starting on June 1st through June 30th, she will share the role with Ayana Del Valle. Beginning on June 1st, Ayana Del Valle will perform the role of Billie Holiday on Wednesday evenings and Saturday Matinees while Gabrielle Lee will continue to perform all other performances]
