As fans poured into the Fox Theatre this weekend to catch “Love Jones: The Musical,” the vibe of the crowd Saturday actually felt like it could’ve have been a scene from the film. There was energy and excitement as they grooved to some of the biggest hits from the 1990s and beyond and took their seats waiting to see one of black cinema’s most cherished love stories play out on stage.
The DJ closed his set with “Hopeless,” Dionne Farris’ timeless contribution to the “Love Jones” Original Soundtrack. That was the last taste of any real remnants of the movie the audience would be afforded.
Immediately afterwards fans screamed with delight as MC Lyte spoke to them from beyond the curtain. So instantly identifiable that she knew she didn’t even have to bother introducing herself, the sound of her voice took the anticipation to the next level as they sat eager for the show to begin.
“There will be no music, dialogue or poetry from the film Love Jones in this production,” Lyte said. “Now sit back and enjoy the Love Jones The Musical.”
The beaming faces now looked bewildered. The audience could be heard whispering amongst themselves in search of understanding about what they were about to see, but they didn’t lash out with boos or any sort of mass audible disdain – which would have been warranted.
The only similarity between “Love Jones The Musical” and the film are the names and passions of the two lead characters. For every other element of the production – from the musical selections, storyline and supporting ensemble – the title of the production and the actual play have nothing in common.
Not only did fans not get a stage adaptation of “Love Jones,” they got the worst version of the stereotypical urban stage play format.
The production is not only crafty with the title of the play as a draw; they also got “creative” with the billing of the play’s “stars.”
In promotional material for the play a silhouette from the film plays big at the top, while Musiq Soulchild, Chrisette Michele, Marsha Ambrosious, David Hollister, Raheem DeVaughn and MC Lyte are advertised as the stars of the play.
Michele played lead character Nina and Soulchild had a supporting role. MC Lyte’s role could best be described as an extended cameo because she had two lines in two separate scenes. As for Ambrosious and Hollister, they were simply plopped into the play to sing one of their hits and whisked away never to be seen again. The Saturday afternoon audience had the pleasure of seeing Michel’le sing “Something in My Heart.”
As far as the play itself, there are all of the elements that can be found in most of the touring urban stage shows. There is the leading lady in search of love; the sassy best friend who has all the answers to help the leading lady find a man, but can’t seem to fix her own life; the thinly veiled “good man” that everyone can see is perfect except for the leading lady in search of love; the heartthrob and/or the temptation of the wealthy, yet quietly emotionally abusive established man who has all the trappings of success but a heart of stone.
The story of “Love Jones The Musical” sees Nina being forced to make the painstaking decision of whether to choose stability and emotional abuse over the unknown of true love, with the end predictable from the very beginning.
And, Like the other urban circuit plays, “Love Jones The Musical” throws in an overtly effeminate male character and an overweight homely character for comedic effect and mixes it together with plenty of music – which is the only upside of this particular production.
Strong singers, including Michele, gave “Love Jones The Musical” its only creative asset, but the selections were random – and plenty were over performed (as was the acting, with the exception of Michele) and poorly timed.
For example, the morning after Nina has hot smoking sex with Darius – and receives a surprise visit from her ex as he runs out to grab breakfast, Michele dives into Yolanda Adams’ gospel crossover hit “Open My Heart.”
“Winner in You,” by Patti LaBelle and “Sweet Thing” by Chaka Khan were also among the selections that joined the celebrity drop in performances – which also includes urban stage veteran Terrell Carter and co-star Soulchild.
Michele’s performance of “Blame It On Me” is about the only appropriate musical number in the whole play – which should have been titled something (or better yet, anything) other than “Love Jones The Musical.”
