**** Highly Recommended Your toes will be tapping, your fingers will be snapping, as the marvelous music of Duke Ellington takes over the Yard, in Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s production of Play On! It’s remarkable how well Ellington’s music fits into the plot of Twelfth Night. My friend Crista and I really enjoyed this one. Great cast, incredible choreography, colorful costumes and set, and of course, Ellington’s music. 4 BIG Spotlights
Originally conceived by director Sheldon Epps, Play On! premiered in San Diego in 1996 before moving on to Broadway for a short run in 1997. The book was written and updated by Cheryl L. West. Epps returns to direct the CST production with choreography by Edgar Godineaux and music direction by Theodis Rodgers, Jr. The colorful costumes were designed by An-Lin Dauber, the Cotton Club/Harlem set by Beowulf Boritt.
A short synopsis of Twelfth Night – Viola, who’s searching for her brother Sebastian, disguises herself as a man, meets Duke Orsina, falls in love. Duke, in love with the fickle Olivia, sends Vi as his emissary, but Olivia falls for Vi. Meanwhile, Olivia’s steward, Malvolio, hopelessly in love with her, chastises Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and her fool, Feste, for rowdy carousing. They decide to get him back, so they send him a letter from Olivia confessing her love. To show that love, they convince him to wear yellow stockings (a color Olivia hates). Ultimately, Viola and her brother are reunited, he marries Olivia, Viola marries Orsino, Sir Toby marries Maria, Malvolio swears vengeance, and everyone else lives happily ever after.
Play On! is set in Harlem in the 40s. When aspiring songwriter Vy (Hailee Kaleem Wright) asks for directions to Harlem, everyone tells her to Take the ‘A’ Train. Vy is counting on her Uncle Jester (James Harkness), a hoofer at the Cotton Club for help. Instead of introductions, he dresses her as a man and calls her Vyman.
When Vyman meets The Duke (Edred Utomi), he isn’t interested in her music, he’s brooding because his ‘muse’ has deserted him. He sends Vy to the Cotton Club in his place with orders to persuade Lady Liv (Krystal Joy Brown) to take him back.
At the club, Lady Liv is having a melt-down. Miss Mary (Alanna Lovely) trails her with sparkling costumes but Lady Liv hates them all, announcing that she can’t go on tonight. Then Vy strolls in, immediately becoming Liv’s shiny new love interest.
Cotton Club manager Rev (Alan H Green) is in love with Lady Liv, but she doesn’t even notice his efforts. When he asks Jester, Sweets (James Earl Jones II) and Miss Mary for help, they decide he needs to give up his old-fashioned music and learn to swing. Jester also suggests an update to his wardrobe.
Soon after, he turns up at the Club wearing a new ‘hip’ ensemble – hat, tuxedo, tie, shoes – all bright yellow! Needless to say, he didn’t make the best impression on Lady Liv!
In the end, Lady Liv finally notices Rev, Vy reveals herself to Duke, Sweetness and Miss Mary get married, even Uncle Jester commits to his lady, CC (Kaylah Janssen), and everyone happily dances away!
The talented ensemble can really sing and dance! They are: Uria Bennett, Marquez Linder, Selena Robinson, Dylan C. Smith, Joey Stone, Shelbi Voss, Danny Dwaine Wells II
The music really makes the show special with songs like It Don’t Mean a Thing, Mood Indigo, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, I’m Beginning to See the Light, Something to Live for, and many more. By the way, the fabulous band is tucked away on a balcony above the stage!
Band: MD/Conductor/Keyboard, Theodis Rodgers Jr.; Reeds, Kevin King; Trumpet, David Spencer; Trombone, Norman Palm; Bass, Rafe Bradford; Drumset/Percussion, Charles Heath; Associate Music Director, Nathanael Wilkerson
Play On! runs through October 18th in The Yard, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand, Chicago. Parking in CST’s designated area in the Navy Pier Garage is available at a 40% discount with validation from CST.
Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes, with an intermission. Performances: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 7:00 pm, Wednesdays at 1:00 & 7:00 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:00 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm. Tickets start at $55. FYI (312) 595-5600 or www.chicagoshakes.com.