Public Theater Stages Billy Strayhorn Musical Bio

 

The Dazzling Set Piece by Jason Sherwood for Billy Strayhorn  Credit all Photos: Michael Henninger

    When it comes to jazz musicians, Pittsburgh has a long list of greats who’ve called the Steel City home.

    Billy Ekstine, Earl “Fatha” Hines, Mary Lou Williams, Lena Horne, Erroll Garner, Ahmad Jamal - all lived in town sometime during their life and/or career.

    Now getting a biographical look in a musical by Pittsburgh playwright, Rob Zellers, is composer, pianist and, some say, musical genius, Billy Strayhorn. Want to find out more about the life of this decades long Duke Ellington collaborator, pop into the Pittsburgh Public Theater now through October 11 where “Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For” is causing quite a buzz.

    Not only will you be treated to nearly 30 Strayhorn compositions like “Satin Doll“ and “Sophisticated Lady,” wrapped conveniently around highlights of his life, you’ll also be treated to some polished acting, excellent vocal renditions, smooth big band sounds under the direction of Matthew Whitaker, and imaginative choreography. What’s not to like in this musical version of a sumptuous five course meal with amuse bouche, intermezzo and sweet finish to boot?

    Strayhorn romped out of the musical gate at the young age of 16 while a student at Pittsburgh’s Westinghouse High School when he wrote “Lush Life,” now a jazz standard. He soon caught the eye of Duke Ellington, who prized his talent so much he not only asked him to become his band’s composer and arranger but invited him to share his New York City home with his family. The duo went on to write their first jazz collaboration, “Something to Live For” in 1939, and their relationship would go on to last nearly three decades.

    In writing the musical, playwright Zellers wastes no time revealing that Strayhorn was gay. After a few initial hesitations and embarrassments early on, the actor playing Strayhorn, Darius De Haas, grows ever more confident and comfortable expressing his sexuality at a time when it was verboten in most states.

Cast of Billy Strayhorn (Darius De Haas, J.D. Mollisom, Richard McBride, Keziah John-Paul

    Soon, he finds himself in the middle of a budding romance, thanks to an introduction by Ellington’s son, Mercer (Richard McBride) with an elevator operator, Aaron Bridgers (Charl Brown), a man whose career as a classical pianist is stymied by the established racism of that era. Bridgers is very happy in his relationship with Strayhorn, but eventually he leaves him to pursue a career as a pianist in Paris, where social and racial norms wouldn't act as a barrier to his career.

    Strayhorn is devastated by Bridgers’ departure, but he immerses himself in his work to distract him from his pain.

    Ellington (J.D. Mollison) causes a bit of friction between his son, a composer, as well as Strayhorn, when he doesn’t always give rightful or full credit to the songs his band performs. While he is fond of both Mercer and Strayhorn, his career and reputation in the world of jazz seems to take precedent.

    As Ivy Anderson, Keziah John-Paul has a bubbly personality and shines vocally in “Sophisticated Lady,” and “My Little Brown Book.” She becomes a completely different character, so much so you don’t recognize her as the same character when she becomes Strayhorn’s mother, Lillian, offering him encouragement and motherly advice.

    Two other females who figure prominently in the musical and Strayhorn’s life are Lena Horne and Billie Holiday, both roles played by Arielle Roberts. Horne actually would like to have the composer as a lover, but understands that his sexual orientation poses an unambiguous obstacle. Later, in another persona, Roberts captures the bluesy mournfulness and melancholy associated with Holiday in her rendition of “Day Dream.”   

    On a visit to Paris with Ellington and his band, Strayhorn meets up with his former lover Bridgers and the two show their continuing love and devotion. Strayhorn, offered a chance to resume the relationship and stay in Paris, makes the hard decision to favor his music over his romantic relationship.

    The remainder of the play somehow doesn’t have the same hopeful tone as Strayhorn separates from his ties to Ellington and sets out on his own. He does go on to earn some degree of success, but the play ends vocally with a lament on loneliness sung by Strayhorn.   

    Happily, a coda full of exuberance follows that celebrates the life of the jazz luminary with a splash of spirited song and dance.    

Keziah John-Paul as Ivy Anderson

    Ken Gash, who’s listed in the program booklet as co-book writer along with Zellers, directs. Whosever idea it was to include dance segments between scenes with choreography by Dell Howlett and dancers Tracy Anthony Dunbar and Taylor C. Collier is deserving of a crown of laurel.

    You may also want to place another crown of the heads of Merri Sugarman C.S.A. and the representative of Tara Rubin Casting who played the important role of selecting the superb actors, singers and dancers that made this production one to relish and remember. I’m sure that Billy Strayhorn would be pleased.

    Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For” is at the O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, in Pittsburgh through October 11. For tickets and more information, phone 412-316-1600.