Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill
Photo of Nikka Morton as Lady Day by Kris Ikejiri
My thoughts on Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill or…the beauty of a fading gardenia
The finest biographical plays evoke a sense of time travel and Lyric Stage’s Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill offers a brief, unforgettable journey to a slightly seedy bar in 1959 Philadelphia where the legendary Billie Holiday, very near the end of her life, is appearing.
The mood is established long before the Lady herself takes the stage. Scott Guenther’s set and lighting design are so realistically rendered that you can almost smell the decades of booze and smoke the exposed wood has absorbed. Emerson’s is not a classy joint, but it is dark, intimate, and, in a seamy way, inviting. Small, candle lit tables surround the black and white floor of the stage. There’s a small bar stage left, and the band is stage right. This set would not be out of place in one of those film noir classics from the 40’s.
It’s hardly the place one would expect a legend to be appearing, but here she is, Billie Holiday portrayed by Nikka Morton. Morton, bedecked in a white gown and fur by Monsieur Alexander, owns the stage as Lady Day. Morton’s Billie is worn down by a life of drugs and hard drinking but her joy for life and music is still there. Lady Day shares her stories of family, racism, incarceration, and more in anecdotes about her life as she becomes increasingly intoxicated during the performance. Director Michael Childs has Morton all over the stage and sometimes in the audience as she shares Billie’s hardship stories which are almost always laced with humor and Morton is skilled at showing Lady Day’s growing inebriation, slurring words, and forgetting songs.
And it's in songs, both familiar and new, when Nikka Morton and Billie Holiday meld beautifully. Morton captures Holiday’s jazzy, bluesy style in a voice that is honey with a touch of vinegar. Morton feels every word she sings with her heart and soul as she weaves her spell over the audience with the intimacy that Director Childs achieves adeptly. Lady Day is there before us bathed in lighting that elevates her to royalty.
The Lady is not alone here. She is with her “rock,” love, and caretaker Jimmie Powers played by Linny Nance. Jimmie, at his piano, is always there for Billie, helping to keep her on track and adapting when she becomes erratic. Nance’s Jimmie, although appearing laid back, is concerned about and ever vigilant of Billie. Adding to the realism of Nance’s performance is the fact that he is also the music director and leads the terrific band that includes Buddy Mohmed on bass, Steven Brown on Saxophone, and Andre Swartz on drums. Additionally, there’s excellent sound design here from Evelyn Dumeer.
Lyric Stage’s Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill is a beguiling time trip. We are immersed in the world of the last days of Billie Holiday. Expertly staged, directed, and acted, this production is a tribute to the iconic singer.
*** Note that Brittani Youman plays Billie Holiday on Saturday matinees. I was lucky to be at a preview performance and able to see both Nikka Morton and Brittani Youman play the role and can attest that you will be in VERY good hands with Ms. Youman.
Photo by Kris Ikejiri
