***** If you are ( or perhaps were , at one time) into soul music, and knew the name Donny Hathaway, an icon of the 1970’s, you are probably aware or heard about his inner struggles with schizophrenia. Kevin Roston, Jr., one of Chicago’s elite talents, has written a story about this man and takes us deep into the sole of the singer, composer who “was soul”! Rosten also takes on the role for this one man show that has been directed to perfection by Ron OJ Parson. The Jeff Awards have an award for solo performance and I for one, truly feel that this 105 minutes ( no intermission) should take it for 2025!

The story may be a bit confusing for most audience members, as to many that were there for opening night, they were not around in the era and did not know the man or his music. Those who loved Roberta Flack knew many of the songs that are part of this sterling production that will hold you mesmerized for the 105 minutes. The young people sitting around me were a little confused by the telephone ( a land line with a dial, like the old days) and the cassette tape player that was used to record music. Many young people are unaware of these antiques. ( ha ha).

The hotel room ( Sotirios Livaditis) is quite realistic. But as the story unfolds, we find that this may not really be a room in a swank hotel, but another place that is more of a holding area, waiting for the right moment. ( Catholics will understand this, I am sure). For the record, Hathaway was a Chicagoan and as mentioned earlier suffered from a mental illness. While he had a great amount of talent, that many called “the gift”, the mental illness and the number of drugs prescribed to ease his pain and allow him to be creative also played into his problems.

I will attempt to tell you as much as possible without giving it all away and I know that many of you will see the light and understand where Roston takes this biography. Things happen that appear to be eerie. Pounding on the door, telephones ringing, even after they have been pulled from the wall, pictures appearing on the wall, and yet, as Hathaway talks directly to the audience ( he sees them ) and tells us his story, showing us the love for his family and his fear of the pills and prescriptions that he has been given, we are still unsure of where he might be. We hear voices from a lady, so perhaps he is in a nursing home rather than a hotel. Perhaps he is waiting for a doctor, or his family, or even a singer to hear some of the music he is creating?

This cleverly written story and well presented through masterful direction and performance is one that I suggest you make sure to put on your “to do list”.  The lighting effects and design ( Jason Lynch), the sound ( Eric Backus) and projection design ( Rasean Davonte Johnson) all add to the perfection of the total storytelling experience. The properties design by Nicholas Bartleson is absolutely mind-boggling, and anyone who has ever done props for a show will see just how important these items are to a story like this one. There are times you will be enthralled by the music itself, finding yourself thinking back to these songs and where they fit in your life. There are even moments when Roston gets you into the mood to join in.

This is a wonderful story about a man who overcame his obstacles as long as he could, leaving behind a family that carried on some of his talent and a lot of music that will be around for generations to come. You have a chance to know more about this man and his music thanks to Kevin Roston Jr. During the final scene, you will understand exactly what you were witenss to. I know that I loved it and would have given it more than 5 stars if i could. This is a MUST SEE!

“Twisted Melodies” will continue Thru – Aug 10th with performances as follows: