Review: IT AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT THE BLUES Is So Much More

Right now in Birmingham you can see just about any kind of play you want. I have recently told you about NEXT FALL, an emotional and moving production, CLARK GABLE SLEPT HERE, a rowdy and irreverent play and last night I went to the Virginia Samford Theatre to see IT AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT THE BLUES, a collection of songs sung by some of the best voices you will hear anywhere.

Featuring 8 performers singing 36 songs, this trip through the history of the blues is fun, informative, entertaining and at times, moving and inspiring. The music influenced by the blues includes country and gospel so be ready for anything.

Michael King does triple duty as musical director to a very talented band, as well as playing piano and occasionally becoming the eighth member of the cast as he lends his voice to the show. Guitarists Eric McGinty and Les Bain are crazy talented and are let loose several times to really show their stuff.

Jeremy C. Jefferson, Kendall T. Johnson, and Ernest "Flip" Sykes are the other male performers and each one is fun to watch and powerful in their vocal performances. Sykes sings "The Thrill Is Gone" and has one of many standout moments of the night.

I have to be honest though and say that as outstanding as the men are, they are overshadowed a bit by the women in the group. Caprenia Anthony, Abijah Cunningham, Tawny Stephens and Joycelyn Whatley are some of the best singers you will ever hear. Each with a smooth yet powerful voice, these women are gritty, sexy and entertaining. Each one has a moment that you won't soon forget, but none like Ms. Whatley when she sings "Strange Fruit." It is a moment that changes the mood of the show and makes everyone in the audience silent and tearful. When it was over no one could move, one of the rare moments when the lack of applause says so much more than all of the cheering in the world.

I was sure I had seen Tawny Stephens' big number when she sang "Walking after Midnight", but I was wrong. When she sang "Fever" and walked out into the audience to sit on a patron's lap, everyone in the small, yet appreciative crowd was excited.

Ms. Cunningham has her memorable moments singing "I Put a spell On You" and "Now I Am Gonna Be Bad." Ms. Cunningham is one of those performers who can be innocent, flirty and sexy all at one time.

Caprenia Anthony is definitely an outstanding performer who commands the stage, and although that could be said about everyone in this cast, I kept finding my eyes drawn to Ms. Anthony. When she sings "Someone Else Is Steppin' In" she really uses the entire stage and keeps the audience engaged and delighted.

At the end of the first act, when the music goes to church, everyone was clapping along. When the entire company fills the aisles of the newly refurbished Virginia Samford Theatre singing "Catch On Fire," I was waiting for them to start laying on hands and coaxing us down to the river to be rebaptized. It was a joyful and rousing experience.

I have now given you another option, another reason to go to the theatre this weekend or next. We are so lucky to have these productions in our area, covering all kinds of genres and that the new trend is to keep shows running longer so we can get to the theatre to see everything we want in between football games and family obligations. So make your choices and get to a theatre this weekend! Tickets are available.

To see IT AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT THE BLUES contact www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org or call 205-251-1206

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