Miche Braden as Bessie Smith. Photo courtesy of Mosaic Theater
A captivating roller coaster of emotion draws the audience into The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith by Angelo Parra, now playing at the Atlas Theater, 1333 H Street NE. The Mosaic Theater Company’s production stars Miche Braden as Smith with musicians Jim Hankins (bass), Gerard Gibbs (piano), and Anthony E. Nelson (saxophone). This is the first musical the Mosaic Theater has staged in the space.
In a setting reminiscent of a smoky all-black club or buffet flat with “Nightlife” paintings by Archibald Motley in the background, the musical invites audience participation as Braden leads the audience with monologues and music through Bessie Smith’s life. Beginning on the night of her death, the opening scene shows Smith –a legendary blues singer in the 1920s– and her band turning to this venue after being barred from a white club. Starting with the lyrics, “If you value your life”, the show poignantly shows why we should value Bessie Smith’s musical legacy.
Braden’s Bessie Smith has a larger-than life presence, asserted by a strong voice that is robust with emotion; a “big girl, but light on my feet.” She then proceeds to sing her way intricately through a range of topics including singing for pennies on the street; drug and alcohol use; adoption and the loss of a child; a bad marriage; sexual exploits with men and women; racial tension and Klan activity; and falling on hard times. The songs are at times bawdy, hilarious, or full of pain as they provide a look back at the performer’s tumultuous life –from growing up poor to becoming, for a short time, the highest paid African-American performer of the era– all the way to her tragic end in an automobile accident.
The 85 minute run-time show leaves audiences wanting more. The show has been extended to October 1, giving us all additional opportunity to catch a performance. In addition to the scheduled shows, six shows have been added on for September 27, 28, 30 and October 1 in the Lang Theater at Atlas.
Tickets can be purchased at the box office (1333 H Street), on line at MosaicTheater.org or by calling 202-399-7993 extension 2.
Karen Ramsey is a Trinidad DC resident and a fan of the arts. You can see her beautiful photos over on Instagram, or at the upcoming Community Collective show at Sospeso, opening October 5.