Feature: Capital City Theatre Kicks off 2017 Season with LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL

Capital City Theatre opens its 2017 season with LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL, the story of famed jazz vocalist, Billie Holiday, considered one of the most influential jazz singers of all time.

Come join Billie Holiday, portrayed by award winning actress Tracey Conyer Lee, in the Overture Center's Wisconsin Studio, which will be transformed into a cabaret setting resembling an intimate 1959 Philadelphia bar for the final performance of her brilliant yet troubled life.

Born in Philadelphia to a teenaged mother and her "likely" father, jazz guitarist Clarence Holiday, Billie Holiday was both a lost child and a star, pushed to the opposite extremes of society. She had dropped out of school by the 5th grade to work in a brothel, was punished with reform school after being sexually assaulted, and then moved to Harlem with her mother where the jazz of the 1920's captured her imagination and her talent. By the age of 18 she had recorded with the King of Swing, Benny Goodman and his orchestra.

Capital City Theatre's Artistic Director Andrew Abrams says, "Billie was a tremendous artist with such a distinctive literal and creative voice. She was also a black woman living in a time before the Civil Rights movement and was a harbinger of the African-American movement to come. This play is a recreation of what audiences might have seen at her last concert in 1959: A broken, ill woman with all of her artistic talent still intact as she allows her story to unfold."

When asked why this show, and why now, Abrams responded, "One of the reasons I chose to do this play is because the issues are still so relevant today in our society in regards to race, gender, addiction, etc. and while this is disheartening, maybe the people who are going to help affect change in our world are sitting in the audience watching."

Abrams also looks forward to introducing Billie Holiday to a new generation of young people. There will be two student matinees for Madison area high school students who, until now, likely never knew of this iconic performer.

Billie Holiday left this planet as a destitute, broken and addicted shell of herself at the age of 44. Yet, she made an unforgettable impression upon the soul of our musical and social heritage. Her legendary voice, musical style and life are captured on stage in this wonderful, intimate cabaret, which honors one of her last appearances.

Joining Tracey Conyer Lee in this retelling of Billie Holiday's story is pianist/actor Kenny M. Green from the famous Marie's Crisis in New York City. Lee has earned rave reviews for her embodiment of 'Lady Day,' twice with Green. Broadway director Stephen Nachamie will set the stage for this performance. Billy Holiday is a legend and will capture the hearts of Madison audiences.

Capital City Theatre is Madison, Wisconsin's professional, Equity, musical theatre company. The mission of Capital City Theatre is to produce professional and engaging live musical theatre performances and educate aspiring and working musical theatre artists through workshops, intensives and seminars. We strive to inspire audiences by connecting them with talented performers from both the Madison area and across the country, creating an experience that keeps audiences entertained, excited and coming back again and again.

Capital City Theatre's third season also includes a solo concert featuring Broadway star Anthony Rapp, from the original cast of the smash-hit musical RENT; as well as the hilarious Tony winning 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE to the stage.

LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL runs at the Overture Center in The Wisconsin Studio Fri, March 31 at 8:00 p.m.; Sat. Apr 1 at 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.; Thurs., April 6 at 8:00 p.m.; and Sat. April 8 at 2:00 & 8:00 p.m. For tickets or more information, go to www.capitalcitytheatre.org.

Photo courtesy of Michael and Suz Karchmer.

Additional contributions by Lanie Robertson.

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