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The Let Me Down Blues
by Roger Martin on July 24, 2010
Oh, yeah, that's what got me at the Kravis Center the other day, those oh why, oh why, why don't you make this joint jump blues. Florida Stage's inaugural show in the company's new home in West Palm Beach is Low Down Dirty Blues and it's a strangely stultifying experience.
Perhaps it's the physical set up of the show. Nicely raked seating in three quarter thrust doesn't really work when the central playing area becomes Big Momma's Blues Club in South Side Chicago with premium priced seating for audience members. This puts the audience watching from the center quite a way back from the stage and forces those people sitting on the sides to crane their necks sideways for ninety minutes.
Or perhaps it's because the excellent piano man, guitarist and bass player are almost lost in the dim lights and clutter at the rear of the stage.
Or, hey, maybe it's because the four singers are a mixed bag, performing without much spontaneity and relying on well used tricks to sell the twenty-five great songs.
Or, ultimately, could it be co-writers and co-directors Randal Myler and Dan Wheetman?
Sandra Reaves-Phillips opens the show with “They Call Me Big Mama” followed by Mississippi Charles Bevel with “Jelly Roll Baker” and “Look On Yonder Wall” and then Reaves-Phillips is back with “Don't Jump My Pony” and it's evident why they call the show low down and dirty. What's also evident is that the joint ain't really jumping. Things pick up, though, with the arrival of Gregory Porter with “Born Under A Bad Sign” and “Mojo Hand” and Felicia P. Fields with “I Got My Mojo Workin” and “My Stove's In Good Condition.” Porter and Fields are strong singers who don't need Bevel's choreographed moves or Reaves-Phillipps' mugging and Satchmo growls.
The performers work the café area and the stage with other fine material like “If I Can't Sell It,” “My Handyman,” “Shake Your Money Maker,” “Good Morning Heartache,” and finally give a great encore with “Every Day I Have The Blues.”
After the curtain call the musicians are finally given the spotlight and Will Barrow on piano, Mark Hamilton on guitar and South Florida's Rupert Ziawinski on bass, launch into the blues but even this one last chance to hear this fine trio is spoiled by Reaves-Phillips, standing to one side, bellowing encouragement.
Fine costumes by Rachel Laritz for the men, but the women's dresses are problematical.
Too bad this opening show at Florida Stage's new home is not up to their usual excellent standards.
Low Down Dirty Blues plays through September 5 at Florida Stage in the Rinker Playhouse in the Kravis Center, West Palm Beach. Call 561.585.3433 (in Palm Beach County) or 800.514.3837 or visit www.floridastage.org.
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