AIN’T NOTHING BUT THE BLUES – Written by Charles Bevel, Lita Gaithers, Randal Myler, Ron Taylor and Dan Wheetman; Directed by Johnathan Underwood. Produced by Vintage Theatre Productions (Presented at 1468 Dayton Street, Aurora) through June 21. Tickets available at 303-856-7830 or VintageTheatre.org.
The gaggle of writers and performers who originated this show came together at the Denver Center in 1994. Ron Taylor, who had performed in another of Randy Myler’s concert-type shows, LOST HIGHWAY, which featured the life and music of Hank Williams, was voicing Audrey II in a Denver Center production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Ron had made his mark with that show, performing it more than 2000 times from backstage on Broadway. He suggested a montage-style historical musical about the blues to Director Myler, which caught fire. They drew in Blues musician Mississippi Charles Bevel and singer Lita Gaithers for their expertise and Danny Wheetman, a member of John Denver’s old band, and set to it. The result was a 45-minute revue that toured high schools first, then received an expanded two-hour production at the Denver Center. A series of other performances took it all the way to Broadway, where it was nominated for multiple Tonys. Randy and Danny went on to collaborate on additional scripts highlighting the music of Janis Joplin, Mark Twain’s RIVER OF FIRE, which explored the music of Twain’s era, and others. Both are still working today, with Myler having just directed a reading of a new script by Joy Behar. The singers all went on to have long-lived and active careers as performers.
The script that came out of that collaboration, beginning in Denver, has been performed all over the country. And has now made it back to Vintage Theatre for a rousing version directed by Johnathan Underwood and performed by a talented cast of eight. The original production featured 41 songs; the Vintage version has pared this down to 29 with one reprise. But they are 29 of the best, tracing the roots of the Blues from its African origins through songs of the enslaved all the way to 20th-century country music and rock ‘n’ roll. Comic songs such as “Wang Dang Doodle” and “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” bring humor to the evening. “Crossroad Blues” honors the legacy of Robert Johnson, father of the Delta Blues. Z.Z. Hill‘s last album brought us “I’m a Blues Man,” while W. C. Handy’s “St Louis Blues” has been covered by every singer and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame twice. “Someone Else is Steppin’ In” warns that while you are stepping out, your lady ain’t wasting her time. The evening would not be complete without a rendition of “Strange Fruit” made famous by Billie Holiday and honored as the song that started the civil rights movement.
All of this amazing music that dips into both a mournful and a joyful past is brought to us by this cast of amazing singers: Chrisnel Akele, Atlas Drake, Kenya Mahogany Fashaw, Daja McLeod, Jozeph Mykaels, Liyah V. Patrick, CJ Swain, and Myles Wright. Each brings a special gift to their solos and the ensemble work that brings them all together. Directed by Underwood to both honor the music and heritage represented as well as provide an encyclopedic history of this American musical legacy.
A simple but effective set is adorned with remnants of the respective eras with hand props, musical instruments, and costume pieces used during the songs. Costumes that identified the era were provided by Jordan Hull. Effective lighting highlighted the solos and enhanced the ensemble numbers. You won’t be sorry to give the night to this educational and enjoyable evening.
A WOW factor of 8.5!!