Stormy Weather
What a stupendous opening for the 2009 Season at the Pasadena Playhouse with the production of Stormy Weather. This is a musical worthy of any on Broadway; easy to see why it broke the opening night box office record.
If you are a fan of Lena Horne, so much the better for you to enjoy, but certainly not necessary for you to have ever heard of her, because there is much about this production to carry you away. First of all, there is the star of the show, the lovely Leslie Uggams (Lena Horne) whose voice, acting and style are in a class all their own. Add to that the charming and talented Nikki Crawford playing Lena in her younger days, plus a bevy of talented actors, singers and dancers, plus a story well-told (Charleen Cooper Cohen), a rousing orchestra (Director Linda Twine) wonderful sets (James Noone) and lighting ((Paul Gallo), beautiful costumes (Martin Pakledinaz), and well, what more could you ask for?
The life story of Lena Horn comes in flashbacks just before her return to Broadway in 1981 in Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music (1981), which earned her many awards, including a Drama Critics' Circle Award and a special achievement Tony Award. In spite of her successes, Lena’s life was not a “bed of roses.” In her early career, she suffered the humiliation that beset many blacks in the 40’s and beyond. Her first marriage was a catastrophe as she lost custody of her son Teddy (Jordan Barbour), who unfortunately, died at the young age of twenty-nine. She eventually met and married Lennie Hayton (Robert Torti), but because mixed race marriages were unacceptable, they had to keep their marriage a secret for a number of years. During the McCarthy era Lena Horne was even accused of being a communist at one time and was blacklisted. When she stayed in hotels where she was performing, she was treated rudely, but despite all of the indignities and hardships she suffered, Lena Horne fought and rose to prominence in the entertainment field. Her story of triumphs is worthy of being told.
Stormy Weather (Horne’s signature song from an early movie) is a first-class musical directed by Michael Bush featuring skillful dancing (choreography by Randy Skinner) as well as some favorite standard music such as Come Rain or Come Shine, Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man, From This Moment On, and oh, so many good ones, especially Uggam’s rendition of Stormy Weather. Another standout performance is Dee Hoty’s portrayal of Horne’s good friend and voice coach Kay Thompson. I can’t leave out Kevin Morrow as good friend Billy Strayhorn, and I must include all the rest of the cast, Phillip Attmore, Yvette Cason, Cleavant Derricks, Wilkie Ferguson, Ashley Greene, Bruce Katzman, Cheri McKenzie, Jeffrey Rockwell, Toni Trucks and Diane Vincent.
____________________________________
Theater: Pasadena Playhouse - 39 South El Molino Avenue, in Pasadena.
Web Site: http://ww.pasadenaplayhouse.org/
Tickets: calling (626) 356-752
Dates: through March 8, 2009