Arts and Culture Writer
Rejection by their men, the longing for dreams unfulfilled and the sweet memories of good times past-and the residual loneliness of it all-give the three women in “Blues in the Night” reason to convey their yearnings through a series of melancholy tunes in this emotionally rich musical. Conceived and directed by Sheldon Epps, with musical direction by Rahn Coleman and choreography by Kenneth Lee Roberson, the production opened last Wednesday at the Post Street Theatre in San Francisco.
Cast members Freda Payne, Carol Woods, Paulette Ivory and Maurice Hines soulfully bring to life blues classics by Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Johnny Mercer and more, that people have sung for decades. However, the songs endure thanks to their poignant themes and remain fresh, thanks to the brilliant vocal skills of Payne, Woods and Ivory, as well as the charismatic performance of singer and hoofer Hines, who plays the hotel’s saloon singer and the production’s narrator.
It all take place in a shoddy Chicago hotel in the late 1930s, on scenery and lighting designer Douglas D. Smith’s morose set with its slanted, off kilter windows, a hotel sign illuminated with dotted white lights against a city skyline awash in plum, lavender and gray hues with a deep midnight blue sky. On stage he furnishes the women’s three rooms with vanity tables topped with perfume bottles, a large traveling trunk adorned with destination stickers and bedding made with ruby and gold fabrics.
Each of the women living there represents different phases in life. Paulette Ivory as the young, optimistic The Girl with a Date, embodies hope and new beginnings. The mature, wiser The Woman of the World illustrates the savvy gained from life experience. And The Lady from the Road, the maternal figure who comforts the other two women, lives in the safety and shelter of a world she's created with memento filled scrapbooks of her singing days and her former lovers. She also keeps her past alive by wearing outlandish costumes she once donned on stage, now stowed in her traveling trunk.
Each number in “Blues in the Night” serves as a vignette to reveal another aspect to one of the characters, whether it's dealing with a current disappointment or an emotional scar caused by hurts of long ago. Some songs are deeply moving while others are light and a bit naughty.
“Blues in the Night” begins full force and gets the audience members' feet tapping with a wonderful company rendition of “Blue Blues.” The energy continues when Woods sings “New Orleans Hop Scop Blues,” especially humorous because she wears an orange, fringy, flapper dress with a funky, matching hat. Alternatively, she enthralls the audience with her heart wrenching performance of “Wasted Life Blues.” Woods possesses that marvelous mix of a gorgeous voice and comedic talent. Her performance of “Lover Man” also proves outstanding.
The elegant Payne demonstrates her beautiful voice in “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” complete with a sensual dance under a shimmery disco ball spinning from the ceiling. And she scats during this number too, much to the thrill of theatergoers. Her voice is also deeply stirring when she sings “Lush Life.”
Ivory superbly conveys the anguish her character is experiencing with her haunting performance of “Willow Weep for Me.”
Hines is utterly charming as he sings and dances his way through “I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So” and it’s exciting to watch him tap across the stage, displaying his amazing talent.
“It Makes My Love Come Down” demonstrates the beautiful harmony between Payne, Woods and Ivory, when the three women give a potent performance of this sassy and juicy number. Ivory and Payne also sing a moving duet of “When Your Lover Has Gone.”
Overall, “Blues in the Night” offers a delightful opportunity to enjoy a superb evening of the blues performed by exquisite performers and should not be missed.
“Blues in the Night” plays Tuesdays through Sundays, through October 28 at the Post Street Theatre, 450 Post Street, San Francisco. Tickets range from $40 to $75. For tickets call (415) 771-6900 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. For more information go to www.bluesinthenightsf.com or visit www.poststreettheatre.com.
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