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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Blues in the Night Also see Gil's reviews of Jersey Boys and Anything Goes
Rather than following a traditional narrative, Blues in the Night weaves together nearly 30 blues, torch and jazz songs to explore themes of love, heartache, humor and strength. Set in a rundown hotel, the show centers on three women who are residents there–a hopeful but confused young ingénue, a worldly and weary woman, and a confident yet wounded lady–who reflect on their lives through song. A man whom they all have a connection with completes the quartet as they sing songs that reflect on the highs and lows of love. Conceived by Sheldon Epps, the show had a short Broadway run in 1982, where it was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical, and a yearlong run in London's West End, where it was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. While there are a few bits of dialogue to string some of the songs together and give us the most basic understanding of the three women, there really isn't any plot. There are also many songs that are probably only known to fans of the genre, so, compared to the more successful musical revue Ain't Misbehavin', which features music of approximately the same period and which opened a few years before Blues in the Night, this revue lacks that show's vitality, infectious energy, and energetically driven performances. However, through the lyrics of songs made famous by such legendary performers as Bessie Smith and Duke Ellington, and famous songwriters including Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, Blues in the Night does manage to tell a deeply human story of longing, loss and survival. The cast is very good. Each performer brings their own unique style and vocal prowess to the production, ensuring that their connection to the lyrics in the songs gives us a few bits of information on each character's past. The women (Roz White, April Nixon, and Camryn Hamm) command the stage with performances that range from sultry and smoldering to heartbreakingly vulnerable with voices that are distinct with raw emotion. Together, their harmonies create an expressive emotional depth. While all three are good, White's worn and wounded delivery elevates her songs of sadness, and her playfulness makes the songs "Take Me for a Buggy Ride" and "Kitchen Man" into comical standouts. Darryl Reuben Hall exudes charisma as the show's sole male. Under the direction of Ricardo Khan and with a creative team that fully understands the genre, Blues in the Night flows seamlessly from one number to the next, with staging that gives an intimacy and a connection to the material. William Foster McDaniel's music direction delivers superb notes from the cast with harmonies that sizzle and the small but excellent onstage band allows the music to take center stage. Complementing the strong vocals of the four-member cast is a visually striking production with creative elements that immerse the audience in the smoky, late-night, jazz-infused atmosphere of 1930s Chicago. The set design by Edward E. Haynes Jr. features rich details, including three distinctive areas to represent the three hotel rooms and a wonderful backdrop that features the windows of a downtown skyscraper. Paul Miller's lighting design adds an extra layer of depth, shifting between moody blues and fiery reds to highlight the changing tones of the songs. The costumes by Myrna Colley-Lee capture the era's elegance and grit. With many strong musical performances and evocative design elements, Blues in the Night is a celebration of music, storytelling, and the power of the blues. Whether you're a longtime blues fan, new to the genre, or just someone who likes the passion that music can provide, you should find much to like in Blues in the Night while fans of well-plotted musical theatre with fleshed out characters may find the musical lacking. Blues in the Night, a Arizona Theatre Company Theatre production, runs through March 9, 2025, at the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway Mesa AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.arizonatheatre.org or call 833-282-7328. Director: Ricardo Khan Cast: (in alphabetical order) *Member, Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States |
