More than likely, guests of last Saturday’s production of Decades of Divas entered with caution because there was no brand association of the more popular local theatre companies attached to the production.
But virtually unknown Gifted Productions created a huge step towards the major leagues at Wash. U.’s Edison Theatre with its latest show – which could have held its own against any of the high-powered presentations by the most reputable theatre companies in St. Louis.
Decades of Divas kicked off with the disappointing program note that local jazz legend Jeanne Trevor would be unable to perform in the evening show. But remaining ensemble members Monya Fisher, Anita Rosamond and Kim Massie represented magnificently.
By design, Decades of Divas presented the demanding task of covering female singers who intertwine musical genres and eras. Each of the ladies rose beyond expectations and made an indelible connection with the audience.
Director Marcia Williams meshed the divas together by way of a storyline, written by local jazz critic Terry Perkins, that featured Bernie Hayes in a role sadly familiar to real life.
A beloved radio host who has become the latest casualty of ever-changing radio formats, Hayes decides to take his listeners for one more stroll down memory lane and revisit some of his most beloved female singers before he signs off for the final time.
In an instance of art imitating life, Hayes effectively delivered a sense of commitment to the music that carried him through a career, which was an entertaining twist that added effective transitioning from artist to artist.
The show kicked off with Billie Holiday and wrapped with Barbra Streisand. Segments featuring the songs of Nancy Wilson, Patti LaBelle, Karen Carpenter, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Carole King and Gladys Knight gave the audience a full spectrum of the musical contribution of women in modern popular music.
With an audience as diverse as the music that was performed, it was almost as entertaining to watch the reactions of the crowd to the musical presentation as the artists themselves.
Audience members slapped high-fives and shouted, “You better sing!” to Fisher in full Patti LaBelle swagger – with the trademark spiked wig and on-stage antics that include kicking off shoes and rolling around on the floor without missing a note. Those same folks mouthed along every with word during the entire Karen Carpenter tribute, including Monya’s understated performance of “We’ve only Just Begun.”
Because the show transcended race, generations and genres, Decades of Divas gave each audience member something to appreciate from his or her preferred musical timeframe – and others that might not be automatically assumed.
Unlike most shows in which each artist has a designated segment or character to cover, each singer shifted in and out of the featured artists. The format provided the dual benefit of showcasing performance depth and diverting the possibility of monotony that sometimes comes with one person singing a block of songs.
All of the artists met the challenges of Decades of Divas, although Kim Massie seemed to be a bit one-dimensional and performed more of Kim Massie than Ella Fitzgerald or Etta James. Fisher and Rosamond seemed to work harder towards presenting the entire trademark personas of the divas being dramatized.
One of the many highlights was the group performance of Carole King’s “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman” made famous by “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin, accompanied by Rosamond on piano.
An intermission performance by blues singer Uvee Hayes also was a hit. An incredible band added to the impression that Decades of Divas had won Gifted Productions some newfound fans.
The only true downside to the production, besides Trevor’s absence, was the fact that there wasn’t a completely full house to witness the theatrical treasure being presented. Save that for Decades of Divas II!
For more information about Gifted Productions, call (314) 352-4857 or visit www.giftedproductionsmo.org.
