Toddra Brunson, Sarah Gracel, Deana Butler Rahming, and Ja'Nia Harden in "Ladies of Simone" at the Westchester Cultural Arts Center's Live in the Park! (Photo by Juan E. Cabrera)
It began with the presentation of the play "Simply Simone- The Music of Nina Simone" in 2016 at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center. Now another iteration of the music of Nina is opening the Live in the Park! Music series at Westchester Cultural Arts Center on Saturday, July 30 for two performances.
miamiartzine.com talks to the director, Theodore "Teddy" Harrell Jr., about the "Ladies of Simone."
miamiartzine.com: I know that this was presented first as "Simply Simone" in 2016 at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center. How is "Ladies of Simone" different?
Theodore Harrell: The African Heritage Cultural Arts Center produced the musical, "Simply Simone - The Music of Nina Simone," which included a full set designed by Michael Miles. The musical consisted of props, lighting design, multimedia effects and two costume changes. The four Ninas portrayed Nina Simone in four different stages of her life: the child prodigy, the jazz singer, the civil rights activist and finally the political exile. The "Ladies of Simone" offers no dialogue from the musical nor theatrical stage aspects. The performance is strictly in concert form.
Four singers bring the music of Nina Simone to the stage in "Ladies of Simone" opening the Live in the Park! at Westchester Cultural Arts Center.
maz: On that note, how did it come to be to take "Simply Simone" and make it into "Ladies of Simone."
TH: "Simply Simone - The Music of Nina Simone" is created by David Grapes, Robert Neblett with music by arrangements by Vince di Mura. After the musical, produced by the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center closed, there was interest for the talented four vocalists, Sarah Gracel, Ja’Nia Harden, Toddra Brunson and Deana Butler Rahming to perform Nina Simone’s music for a couple of shows that featured jazz music. I named the group, "Ladies of Simone" to differentiate it from the musical. The four singers and the original musical band — pianist and band leader, John Harden III and Isis Roberts music conductor and choreographer performed as a group again for the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center’s Sankofa Jazz Festival and Keith Clarke, a Miami, Florida jazz aficionado, who started the Miami Jazz and Film Society, requested the group to perform at Olympia Theater's Lobby Jazz series and at the Hampton House.
maz: Tell me what you would like audiences to know about what they'll be seeing on July 30.
TH: The audience will be re-introduced to the music, the sassiness and the attitude of Nina Simone. The Ladies of Simone will perform Nina Simone favorite songs such as "Sinnerman," "Young, Gifted and Black," "My Baby Just Cares for Me," "Mississippi Goddamn," "I Put A Spell on You" and other songs. The group performs with a four-piece band including keyboard, guitar, bass and drums.
LEFT: Ja'Nia Harden, Toddra Brunson, Sarah Gracel, and Deana Butler Rahming are the "Ladies of Simone." RIGHT: Theodore “Teddy” Harrell Jr. directed the production.
maz: Can you give me your insight into Nina Simone and why you think she remains impactful today?
TH: The Nina Simone song, "Please, Don’t Let Me Be MisUnderstood" has popped in mind a lot over the last month. I equate it today to our awareness of mental illness. The song "Black is the Color of my True Love’s Hair" speaks to Black folks comfortability of our hairstyles, our essence, and our sensibility to never again be ashamed of Blackness.
There is a full slate of events scheduled for Live in the Park! Check out the schedule here.
“Ladies of Simone” – Live in the Park!, Westchester Cultural Arts Center at the entrance to Tropical Park, 7930 SW 40th St., Miami, 7 and 9:30 p.m., Saturday, July 30. $40 general admission. Info at 305-226-0030 or wcacenter.org
