By Manning Harris
To say that Bessie Smith, the “Empress of the Blues” in the 20’s and 30’s—and for all time on recordings—was a force of nature is putting it mildly. In True Colors Theatre Company’s fine production at Theatrical Outfit’s Balzer Theatre, running through November 7, we are introduced to Bessie and her tumultuous life and times, and it’s quite a ride.
“I woke up this morning with an awful aching head…My new man had left me, just a room and a empty bed.” These are the opening lines of Bessie’s 1928 recording of “Empty Bed Blues,” a song my high school chorus teacher played us one day, many moons ago. But I have never forgotten the opening line, and that haunting, plaintive voice. (The rest of the song is delightfully blue and suggestive; but in my dewy-eyed naivete, it went right over my head—back then. Times change.) Regretfully, this number is not in “Gut Bucket Blues,” but plenty of terrific songs are.
In this world premiere production written and directed by David H. Bell, with original songs and music by Mr. Bell and music director Jmichael, there remain plenty of classic standards, thank goodness, such as “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” “St. Louis Blues,” “Ain’t Nobody’s Business,” and others. “Get Up Off It” and “Hoochie-Coochie Woman” are two fine new contributions.
Bessie Smith was born in Chattanooga in 1894, and she and her brother Clarence were on their own by the time they were young teenagers. They joined a traveling show where Bessie was befriended by Gertrude “Ma” Rainey (a.k.a. “the Mother of the Blues”), who served as a blues mentor to the 15-year-old Bessie. Incidentally, Bessie began forming her own act around 1913 at Atlanta’s “81” Theater and soon forged a reputation in the South and the Eastern Seaboard, leading to a recording contract with Columbia Records in 1923. She would soon become the most successful and highest-paid African-American entertainer of her time.
But the fun part of “Gut Bucket” is watching Bessie (the wonderful Adrienne Reynolds) negotiate the climb. There are six superb actor-singers, including Ms. Reynolds: Christopher Morgan as Clarence; Latrice Pace, brilliant as Ma Rainey; Jahi Kearse as Jack Gee, Bessie’s husband/manager; Amber Iman, excellent in multiple roles; and JC Long, the white recording executive, who has a fascinating, moving relationship with the volatile Bessie.
The orchestra is excellent, and the sound of the singers is in perfect sync (thanks, Kay Richardson!) with the instruments—not too loud, not too soft. You’d be surprised how hard this is to achieve these days—just check out a few local and touring shows in the ATL. The set in this beautiful, intimate theatre is minimalist (Rochelle Barker), but works very nicely. The audience gets to use its imagination here; “Gut Bucket Blues” could be a huge, lush production, but I think perhaps the human elements would suffer.
And make no mistake: It’s Bessie Smith’s show—the woman had chutzpah to spare and was a complex diva before that word became so overused. This is all the more astonishing when you consider the times she lived in. The show is already selling out; don’t pass this one by.
For more information visit, www.truecolorstheatre.org. To contact Manning Harris email him fmanningh@gmail.com.
