News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Billie! Backstage with Lady Day show poster

Billie! Backstage with Lady Day at Sunshine Brooks Theater

Dates: (7/28/2023 - 7/30/2023 )

Theatre:

Sunshine Brooks Theater

Oceanside Theatre Company

217 North Coast Highway
Oceanside,CA 92054

  1. View All San Diego Shows
  2.  > 
  3. Billie! Backstage with Lady Day


The two-act play, written by Synthia L. Hardy and directed by Bryan Rasmussen combines storytelling and song to capture the essence of Billie Holiday’s music and life. In the first act, Holiday prepares for her show while answering the questions of two unseen reporters. Hardy as Holiday entwines her biography and explanations of the inspiration for and history of her music with performances of her popular numbers. Musician Lanny Hartley joins Hardy on stage as "Piano Man" accompanying her through hits including the haunting “Strange Fruit,” as well as “God Bless the Child,” “Good Morning Heartache,” and “Lover Man.” One of the greatest jazz and blues performers of all time, Holiday unfolds the truth about her turbulent life – combating racism, navigating abusive relationships, and enduring multiple arrests. In the second act, Hardy embodies Lady Day, (a nickname given to Holiday by musician Lester Young), in a concert of her hits that includes “’Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do” and “Willow, Weep for Me.” Through a voice reminiscent of Holiday’s with its raspy edge and incorporation of crying and wailing, Hardy portrays the iconic artist as simultaneously classy and tough, vulnerable and versatile, hopeful at times and hopeless at others, but most of all, full of heart and sympathy.



Videos


2 Pianos 4 Hands in San Diego 2 Pianos 4 Hands
North Coast Repertory Theatre (12/12 - 12/29) Tracker
Lea Salonga | Sounding Joy | The Holiday Tour in San Diego Lea Salonga | Sounding Joy | The Holiday Tour
Balboa Theatre (12/11 - 12/11) Tracker
INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP in San Diego INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP
North Coast Repertory Theatre (10/23 - 11/17) Tracker
VIDEOS
A Christmas Carol in San Diego A Christmas Carol
Cygnet Theatre (11/29 - 12/24) Tracker
PHOTOS
The Peking Acrobats in San Diego The Peking Acrobats
Poway OnStage (1/17 - 1/17)
A Swingin Seasonal Spectacular in San Diego A Swingin Seasonal Spectacular
OnStage Playhouse (12/13 - 12/15)
A Rocky Mountain Christmas in San Diego A Rocky Mountain Christmas
Poway OnStage (12/7 - 12/7)
Wicked in San Diego Wicked
Civic Theatre- San Diego (2/5 - 3/2)
Manny and the Wise Queens in San Diego Manny and the Wise Queens
Sunshine Brooks Theater (12/6 - 12/22)
VIEW SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You