Allan Harris in CAFE SOCIETY SWING at 59E59 Theaters. Photo by Carol Rosegg
New York’s legendary Café Society nightclub debuted in the Greenwich Village of the late 1930’s. For many years that followed it would be the Mecca for many African American jazz greats who would pass into legend themselves. Club founder, Barney Josephson, was of a Jewish family that had fled Hitler’s Nazi Germany years earlier. He had a flair for attracting great jazz talents of the time, but also a liberal political mentality that put him and his club at odds with the growing conservative crusaders that would culminate in the “red scare” of the Joseph McCarthy era. The story is now exquisitely and musically told in the 59E59 Theaters production of, CAFÉ SOCIETY SWING, by Alex Webb with brilliant direction from Simon Green.
The razor-sharp 8-piece orchestra is first-class with Mr. Webb on piano as Musical Director. The cast of four internationally renowned vocalists includes Allan Harris (who also doubles on guitar), Cyrille Aimée, Evan Pappas, and Charenee Wade. With his smoky, rich and delightfully raspy voice, Harris opens the proceedings with the title tune, “Café Society.”
Charenee Wade in CAFE SOCIETY SWING at 59E59 Theaters. Photo by Carol Rosegg
The number quickly evolves into a showcase of instrumental virtuosity that hints of the many solo moments to come for guitar, drums, bass, tenor sax, alto sax, trumpet, clarinet, and trombone. It would be a feast of musicianship as the evening progressed.
While Webb dazzles on piano during the tune, “Rollin’,” Miss Wade arrives elegantly onstage in a gown of ruby-red with the color of fine wine. (The show’s beautiful costumes, and the playful set murals that poke fun at high society come from designer, David Woodhead.) With Harris on sparkling guitar, Wade launches into her smooth and splendid opener, “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” and follows with an equally splendid, “All of Me.” The show is really “rollin’” now!
Cyrille Aimée in CAFE SOCIETY SWING at 59E59 Theaters. Photo by Carol Rosegg
Next, looking like a delicate doll, the lovely and demure Miss Aimée takes the stage in a glittering gown of gold satin with shimmering bracelet to match. Better still, she brings a voice of pure gold to her coy representation of a fair-skinned black vocalist of the day whose coloring was sometimes derogatorily referred to as, “high yellow.” It was Lena Horne, and Aimée’s bright interpretations of “Stormy Weather,” and “Where or When,” both beautifully capture the vocal stylings of Miss Horne.
Propelling the plot line of growing political suspicions about those deemed to be “left-wingers,” we have a deft performance from actor, Evan Pappas, as a kind of investigative reporter assigned to dish the dirt on this suspicious nightclub that dares to allow blacks and whites on the same stage, not to mention permitting mixed races in the audience. His skillful narrations serve as asides to the audience and help clarify the ongoing controversies that will eventually consume the club sometimes known as “the right place for the wrong people.” (Our four lead singers skillfully join forces for the smooth harmonies of the politically charged quartet, “Stalin Wasn’t Stallin’.”) Lighting designer, Maruti Evans, beautifully creates the smoky back rooms of the press office, and shows equal skill in knowing when to throw a misty spotlight on both singers and instrumental soloists. Job well done! Great renditions of “Closing Time,” and “I Left My Baby,” wind down an Act One that goes out with a bang during a “Society Jump,” that has the whole room jumpin’ to numerous fine instrumental solos.
Evan Pappas in CAFE SOCIETY SWING at 59E59 Theaters. Photo by Carol Rosegg
In Act Two, Mr. Pappas has a new persona as narrator while skillfully taking on the role of the nightclub’s chatty bartender. Political dangers continue to escalate as the song, “Red Scare,” pokes fun at the McCarthy era. Josephson’s brother Leon is even jailed after being called before the House Un-American Activities Committee. But musical delights continue to abound as Aimée arrives in a glamorous beaded gown while tipping her hat to the world of French jazz with a polished performance of, “Parlez-Moi D’Amour.” With scat singing included, Miss Wade knocks one out of the park during a saucy and authoritative performance of the Sarah Vaughn hit, “What Is This Thing Called Love?” Harris brings endless musical variety to a masterful and rich, “Lush Life,” that would have made Nat King Cole proud. There is so much more to savor here, and before the show ends there is a perky and joyful, “Too Hot For Words.”
Charenee Wade in CAFE SOCIETY SWING at 59E59 Theaters. Photo by Carol Rosegg
Maybe the show itself is just too hot for words, and if you don’t believe me just wait until you see Miss Wade channel Billie Holiday as she closes the show with a sensational and never-to-be-forgotten, “Strange Fruit.” With incredibly gifted vocalists and musicians, Café Society Swing works on virtually every level while recreating a golden musical age. I predict a word-of-mouth sellout, so readers beware.
CAFE SOCIETY SWING continues this limited engagement through January 4, 2015 at the 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Madison and Park Avenues). The performance schedule is Tuesday – Thursday at 7 PM; Friday at 8 PM; Saturday at 2 PM & 8 PM; Sunday at 3 PM & 7 PM. Please note the following holiday schedule adjustments: There is no performance on Thursday, December 25; there is an added performance on Friday, December 26 at 2 PM; the performances on December 24 and December 31 are at 6 PM. Single tickets are $70 ($49 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or visit www.59e59.org.
