It has been almost 20 years since I was a consistent weekly contributor to The Polytechnic. This week may even be the anniversary of my last record and theater review for The Poly. However, the performance of It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues at Capital Repertory Theater in Albany was so good that I wanted to come out of “reviewer retirement.”
My companion of over 30 years said to me the other night, “You would have to be dead not to have your feet tapping or just want to get up and dance.” It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues is more than a concert. It is a musical theater journey from African rhythms through blues and jazz and its impact on our collective cultural psyche. This is not a history show; it is entertainment with a capital E. It is also so much more than just the 34 songs that are at the core of this two-hour show. The cast expertly conveys a theatrical experience through well-delivered music, acting, and dance. Unlike some of the hardcore blues concerts that I have attended over the last 40 years, with 15 minute blues riffs for one song, there is never a time in the show when the music goes on too long. In fact, you will be left wanting more. This is what exceptional musical theater is about.
This is a truly talented cast who not only has big voices but are consummate actors. Highlights of the show are numerous but I have to mention My Man Rocks Me, Strange Fruit, Fever, I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man, I Can’t Stop Loving You, and I almost feel negligent because there are many more. The group works equally well as soloists and as an ensemble with the individual strengths of each person complementing the others. Some might say, “Shouldn’t you expect excellence from a cast totally comprised of Actors Equity members?” It doesn’t always work that way. Having seen four Broadway productions in the past two years and countless other shows, this time the press clippings are actually accurate. Have high expectations when you go, because they will be met. The six cast members have credits that are too numerous to list. The individual highlights include Broadway experience as an original cast member of Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair, a season’s soloist in RENT, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and many more. TV credits include Ugly Betty, Saturday Night Live, Across the Universe, Law and Order, and more. Creatively, the cast includes the musical director of the national tour of Urban Cowboy. Musical collaboration with artists such as Gladys Knight, Mariah Carey, and others is a part of the portfolio. Regional theater credits jump off the page.
In addition, I would be remiss not to mention the excellent music direction and guitar playing of Dave Malachowski. The “pit” band’s credits include extensive work with Shania Twain, Savoy Brown, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Chet Atkins, Paul Simon, Miles Davis, Rick Danko, Janie Fricke, and many others. The band is the match of the cast and keeps the pace in “cruise control” from start to finish. These are musicians’ musicians.
The show is not only energetic but it engages the whole audience. There is a lot of personal eye contact with the cast in the 280 seat theater. The cast sings to you, dances with you, and acts for you. If you want a great entertaining night out, Capital Rep in Albany, near the Palace Theatre, is definitely the place to be from March 15 through April 7. Regularly tickets are $34 to $42, but you have some additional ticket options as a college student. Reserved tickets are available for $10 on Thursdays or $10 off for reserved seats on any other day or half price tickets for student rush that you can get 10 minutes before the performance. It is going to be a long time before you are going to be close enough to touch and be touched by such talent.
