“Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” reviewed by Edie Reese

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (3 ½ Stars)  The Metropolis Theatre’s stage is set to look like a bar that has seen better days. The box-shaped mic standing center stage indicates that we will be entering an earlier era. Indeed, the setting is Emerson’s Bar & Grill in Philadelphia in 1959. Billie Holiday (Mardra Thomas) is reluctant to come onstage, and must be coaxed by her accompanist, Jimmie Powers (Reggie Thomas, Ms. Thomas’ real-life husband). This is not the glamorous Billie Holiday of legend. In “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” playing now through March 12 at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Mardra Thomas portrays a Billie Holiday towards the end of her life… ravaged by drugs, alcohol, racial injustice, and just plain hardship. Yet she maintains a fierce independence as she relates her life story interspersed with songs—some iconic and some not so familiar.

Mardra Thomas, not only a singer of tremendous talent but an actor with considerable chops, portrays Holiday to a “T.” If you closed your eyes and just listened, you would swear that the great artist was singing live. During the 80-minute show, Holiday descends further into the depths of alcoholism and insecurity, at one point leaving the stage altogether. Jimmy, in an attempt to keep the show going, provides a superb jazz piano solo. “Reggie” Thomas, who plays Jimmie, is Professor Reginald Thomas, coordinator of the Northern Illinois University School of Music’s Jazz Studies Program and an outstanding jazz musician in his own right.

Although not specifically credited in the online-only program, the lighting in this production is outstanding. Nowhere is it used to better effect than during the song “Strange Fruit,” a protest song written about lynchings in the South. Holiday is bathed in a red spotlight while pictures of the Klan and other indignities against African Americans are projected on the back walls of the stage. (Projections are used at other times during the show, but often don’t match the matter being spoken or sung about.) Director Anthony Sims and Assistant Director Rachael Chian Calcotte do a thorough job of utilizing the entirety of the stage well. The book of the show is by Lanie Robertson, screenwriter and playwright.

Since returning to live productions, many of the theaters are not handing out physical programs, but due to covid, are asking audience members to download the complete one. The theater has a one pager . I am not sure how many people save their program, but there are a great many left behind and with the pandemic who would want one that was reused? If you need more info, the theater will show you how to obtain it.

Lady  Day at Emerson Bar and Grill”will continue thru March 12th with performances as follows:
Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Fridays  at 7:30 pm
Saturdays 7:30 pm
Sundays at 3:00 pm

Tickets are $40 each. The show contains adult language. Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office (847-577-2121) or online (customerservice@metropolisarts.com).

The Metropolis Theatre is located at 111 West Campbell in Arlington Heights with plenty of free ( indoor ) parking and lots of dining in the area.

For info visit www.metropolisarts.com

Full COVID protocol is in place, including wearing masks and proof of vaccination or negative PCR test/rapid antigen test within 12 hours of the performance. Please check the theatre’s website for additional information. Parking is plentiful in a nearby garage or on street.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Lady Day at Emerson Bar and Grill”.