With a cast that includes Francesca Harper, Charles Wallace and Keith L. Thomas, I'll be performing my latest idea The Billie Holiday Project at Harlem's iconic Apollo Theater's Music Cafe on Friday April 13th and Saturday April 14th. As of March 28th, the first performance is sold out and yes, there are still tickets available. (I think.)
I couldn't be more over the moon about this idea -- fusing Zora Neale Hurston's newly discovered Harlem-based fables about black city folk, stories that haven't seen the light of day since the 30s (!!!) with rare sides from Billie Holiday's early recordings. I want to reintroduce the audience to two black female icons that they thought they already knew -- something fresh and new and interesting from both of them, blended together in this really effortless way.
My goal was to create an urban version of George C. Wolfe's Spunk! I actually saw that production at the Public Theater thanks to my ATL pal Chris Adams, who took me to see it because he couldn't stop thinking of me when he saw it initially. At the time, people were constantly telling me that I looked a lot like Danitra Vance. But that's another conversation.
More updates later. For now, get a ticket if you can. It's going to be a fun night!
I must say -- seeing this on the marquee as I enter the Apollo to create some powerful black girl wonderment NEVER gets old...
