Theatrius
  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us
  • Search Icon

Theatrius

Theater Reviews—San Francisco and Beyond

“The Devil’s Music” Brings Down the House, at Center REP, W.C.

“The Devil’s Music” Brings Down the House, at Center REP, W.C.

February 1, 2020 Robert M. Gardner

Katrina Lauren McGraw Scores Triumph as Bessie Smith

by Robert M. Gardner

As the saxophone player (smooth Ric Alexander) steps center stage, he coaxes soulful notes and seductive rhythms to the tune of “St. Louis Blues.” We are thrilled as diva Katrina Lauren McGraw channels Bessie Smith, the Empress of the Blues, and sings her plaintive reply to the saxophone in “The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, A Play with Music.”

Born into a large family in a one room house in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Bessie Smith is poorly educated and uses coarse language freely. Still her music propels her to the top of the record industry. Her first big hit with Capitol sold over 780,000 copies during the Depression. Bessie’s music chronicles her loves and losses one momentous night in 1937.

Ric Alexander & Katrina Lauren McGraw. Photos by Kevin Berne

Bessie suffers from hard drinking and cheating partners. Still, she admits that she also strays with multiple lovers, and they’re not always male.  Smith breaks many societal norms while becoming a huge success, making her an in-your-face pioneer for women’s rights. She speaks directly to us, with drama and verve.

In Walnut Creek, the big Center REP stage glows spectacularly, with an opulent, luxurious 1930s red plush living room complete with well stocked bar. On the walls, modernist Jazz paintings lend a Harlem Renaissance ambiance. Richard Olmstead’s beautifully designed set puts us back to Bessie Smith’s heyday. And the projected photos above reflect Bessie’s music and life.

Katrina Lauren McGraw as Bessie Smith

Director Darryl V. Jones shows his sure and experienced hand in bringing out the best in the ensemble in this outstanding tribute to the legendary singer. The production sizzles with strong pacing, seamless timing, and exciting delivery. Jones’ plays never fail to thrill.

Angelo Parra’s story of “The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith” makes an ambitious attempt to cover her hits in this nonstop 90-minute show. It puts great demands on singer Katrina Lauren McGraw who delivers beautifully on every song. McGraw, a super talented singer, saves her strongest notes for the grand finale, a reprise of “Down and Out.” She shakes the timbers and brings us to our feet!

Katrina Lauren McGraw as Bessie Smith

Bessie’s big hit, “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” was released just two weeks before the Crash of 1929, becoming her signature song. As the country falls into the Great Depression, Americans realize that Bessie speaks the truth: “If I ever get my hands on a dollar again, I’m gonna squeeze until that eagle grins.”  The song’s dire warning still applies—to today’s specter of growing homelessness under Trumpean rule.

Between songs, Bessie spars with Pickle (ebullient Kenneth Little), her master pianist.  Despite her bluster, the talented band loves her—for her many kindnesses. Little provides excellent piano accompaniment joined by a very hip group with exciting Roderick Brewster on stand-up bass and a rock steady Wilson Brooks on the drums. A very talented group of musicians!

“The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith” thrills us with an intimate look at one night in the brief life of Bessie and her America. Highly recommended.

Katrina Lauren McGraw (Bessie) & Wilson Brooks

“The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, A Play with Music” by Angelo Parra, conceived by Joe Brancato, directed by Darryl V. Jones, at Center REPertory Company, Walnut Creek, California, through Sunday, February 22, 2020. Info: lesherartscenter.org

Cast: Katrina Lauren McGraw, Ric Alexander, Roderick Brewster, Wilson Brooks, and Kenneth Little.

Banner photo: Katrina Lauren McGraw at Center REPertory Company, Dean Lesher Center, Walnut Creek.


Musical, Plays
Civil Rights, exploitation, feminism, jazz, love, patriarchy, race, social class, Women's Rights

Post navigation

NEXT
“Wakey, Wakey” Works Hard to Inspire Us, at ACT, S.F.
PREVIOUS
“You’ll Catch Flies” Enchants with Laughs & Honesty, at NCTC, S.F.
Comments are closed.

Menu

  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us

BLM

Black Lives Matter

Subscribe for upcoming reviews!
Loading

Current Shows

  • “Dry Powder” Spotlights Wall Street Power-Brokers—at Left Edge
  • “Pride and Prejudice, The Musical” Enchants with Sass & Satire—at Ross Valley
  • “Clue” Melds Mystery & Comedy into Entertaining Adventure—at SF Playhouse
  • “Donna”: Intimate Interviews Celebrate Trans Triumphs—On Screen
  • “Fannie”: Sixties Spirituals Pave Path to Freedom—at TheatreWorks
  • “’Tasha” Tackles Raw Racism—at 3Girls
  • “Tea Party” Brews Up a Cup of America—at The Strand
  • “A Raisin in the Sun” Explodes with Drama and Power—at 6th Street
  • “Cambodian Rock Band” Deserves Its Standing Ovation—at Berkeley Rep
  • “Cambodian Rock Band” Mixes Nostalgic Hits with Terror—at Berkeley Rep
  • “Fun Home” Seduces with Strong Songs & Sultry Sass—at Berkeley Playhouse
  • “Anything Goes”: It’s Delightful, It’s Delicious, It’s De-lovely—at 42nd Street Moon
  • “SIX, The Musical” Celebrates Women’s Freedom & Individuality—at BroadwaySF
  • “Fun Home” Bursts with Love & Feeling—at Berkeley Playhouse
  • “Dear San Francisco” Wows with Kaleidoscopic Acrobatics—at Club Fugazi

About us:

If you want to see the best plays & performances around the San Francisco Bay or beyond, read our reviews. We promise to give you a true report on the best shows.
Bay Area Critics Circle

Barry David Horwitz, Editor of Theatrius, is a Voting Member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics' Circle, SFBATCC. Follow us on: facebook.com

© 2023   All Rights Reserved.