Celebrate Black History Month Off-Broadway at Two of New York’s Biggest Hits:
The Devil’s Music – The Life and Times of Bessie Smith
and
Black Angels Over Tuskegee
February is Black History Month (also known as the African-American History Month). Two of Off-Broadway’s biggest hits serve to recognize the contribution of African-Americans in American culture and history: The Devil’s Music – The Life and Times of Bessie Smith and Black Angels Over Tuskegee.
The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, a musical by Angelo Parra, conceived and directed by Joe Brancato, stars Miche Braden as Bessie Smith, along with Aaron Graves, Jim Hankins, Keith Loftis, and Anthony E. Nelson, Jr. The Devil’s Music opened June 22nd Off-Broadway at the St. Luke’s Theater (308 West 46th Street).
Sexy and racy, blues singer Bessie Smith was the definition of a Red Hot Mamma and the most successful entertainer of her time. On the eve of her tragic death in 1937, Bessie takes center stage in The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith and tells the story of her amazing life and career, her loves and losses. Put your troubles aside and soak up the blues as Bessie Smith comes to life and sings the songs that made her so unforgettable, including “St. Louis Blues,” “Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl,” and “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out.”
The Devil’s Music has been hailed by critics and audience alike:
“Miche Braden delivers a powerhouse performance, doing a brassy, melodic turn as a lusty, hard-drinking, irrepressible Bessie Smith, who was known as the “Empress of the Blues”. Braden fully comands the stage, sassing the audience and sashaying around like the hard-living prima donna Smith was. Joe Brancato’s artful direction and Braden’s charisma and honesty of emotion keep the energy flowing.”– Associated Press
“When Miche Braden sings — especially her soulful “St. Louis Blues” and the most heartbreaking rendition of “I Ain’t Got Nobody” you’re ever likely to hear — THE DEVIL’S MUSIC delivers a little bit of heaven.” - Time Out New York
“If there’s a heaven for entertainers, the gateway must be St. Luke’s Theatre. Miche Braden thankfully delivers in powerhouse fashion. Her rendition of “I Ain’t Got Nobody” is haunting, while “St. Louis Blues,” featuring a lascivious duet with her sax player, perfectly captures Smith’s notoriously earthy side. You’ll be a ‘Devil’s’ advocate!” - New York Post
BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE, Layon Gray’s acclaimed play is now in its second year at the Actors Temple Theater (339 West 47th Street). Based on true events, six men explore their collective struggle with Jim Crow, their intelligence, patriotism, dreams of an inclusive fair society, and brotherhood as they become the first African-American fighter pilots in the U.S. Army Air Forces. BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE goes beyond the headlines of the popular stories of the Tuskegee Airmen and exposes the men who exhibited the courage to excel in spite of all the overwhelming odds against them. In addition to being an official selection of the 2009 National Black Theater Festival, BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE recently won a 2009 NAACP Award for Best Ensemble and a 2009 Artistic Director Achievement Award for Best Play. It was also presented at the 2009 National Tuskegee Airmen Convention in Las Vegas for over 30 chapters. Original Tuskegee Airmen Ted Lumpkin, President of the Los Angeles Chapter, said, “I love this play. It’s real and it reminded me of my times at Tuskegee. [It's] a great show.” BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE recently did a special performance for the entire NY Jets team. Critics have been unanimous in their praise for Black Angels Over Tuskegee:
“Uplifting! Inspirational! This show is also tough to resist. By the end, when the pilots overcame their obstacles and finally got up into the air to the swelling of music, tears welled up in my eyes.” – The New York Times
“Dynamite performances!” – Time Out New York
“The characters are so realistic that the audience can’t help but be thoroughly moved!” – Associated Press
“Excellent ensemble acting keeps Black Angels Over Tuskegee soaring. Some plays teach, others celebrate, and a few simply entertain. Black Angels Over Tuskegee manages to do all three and one thing more: It inspires.” – Back Stage
“Stunning!” – Curtain Up
Tickets for both shows, from only $36.50, are available at Telecharge.com or by calling 212/239-6200.
