“Blues in The Night”: A Little Something for Everyone At NCR

Karole Foreman, Elijah Rock, Ciarra Stroud, and Anise Ritchie. 

 There are no less than twenty five blues numbers in Sheldon Epps 1980 musical revue, “Blues in The Night” currently playing at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach through Feb 12th. Epps conceived and originally directed ‘Night’ on Broadway that was nominated for a Tony as Best Musical of the year. 

The show stars three leading ladies, one very charming male song and dance man, who spend their time lamenting the Blues. No new comer to San Diego audiences, Karole Foreman, smooth as ever, playful, funny and somber represents ‘Woman of the World” (“Rough And Ready Man”), Anise Ritchie is “Lady from the Road” ("Wasted Life Blues"), Ciarra Stroud as “Girl with A Date” (“Willow Weep for Me”) and rounding out the foursome is Elijah Rock as the “Man in The Saloon”. (“Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues”) 

Anise Ritchie:Lady From The Road

Marty Burnett works his magic on the intimate stage of NCR in a fine replica of rundown hotel where the bar is the background for most of the singing and dancing. The time frame is 1938/40 Chicago. Off to the sides are three levels showing the inside of each room the gals occupy. Topping off this great theatre experience, there is an on stage five piece band under the musical direction of Lanny Hartley, who happens to be married to director Yvette Freeman Hartley. Pianist Kevin Toney conducts the band with bassist Roy Jenkins, drummer Danny King, reeds player Malcolm Jones and trumpeter Thomas Alforque.

Clara Stroud:  Girl With a Date

Blues numbers from the likes of Bessie Smith (Baby Doll” and “Dirty No Good Blues”), Duke Ellington and Mack David (“I’m A Lucky So and So”), Harold Arlan and Johnny Mercer’s “Blues in The Night”, and Johnny Mercer, Gordon Jenkins, Bernard Hanighen “When A Woman Loves A Man/Am I Blue”?) all rang a bell. 

I must admit I’m not much into the Blues genre, more of the Big Band era of the 40's and 50's, although I do have some Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra (obsolete) CD’s. That said, many of the twenty or so musical numbers performed in 'Night" were and are familiar, making the talented and engaging cast of performers shine in every number. They are playful, somber, very much in tune with one another both singing and dancing, and when Rock came out in his tap shoes, my day was made. 

Karole Foreman: Woman of the World

Additional credit must go to choreographer Roxane Carrasco, Matt Novotny, lighting, Regan A McKay for her spot on period costumes, Christopher Williams for all the props, Peter Herman wigs, Matt Fitzgerald, sound and Cindy Rumley Stage Manager. 

With all this talent on one stage, “Blues in the Night” should be on you must see list. 

Enjoy. 

See you at the theatre.

When: Runs through Feb. 12th 7 p.m. Wednesdays. 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays. 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays

Where: North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach

Tickets: $57-$68

Phone: (858) 481-1055

Photo: Adam Rumley

 On line: northcoastrep.org