Stormy Weather at the Pasadena Playhouse

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 11:35pm

I just got back from the first run through of the show at it's going to be FANTASTIC!

Leslie Uggams plays Lena Horne as she looks back on her life, and what a story she has to tell!

Conceived and written by Sharleen Cooper Cohen
Suggested by the biography Lena Horne, Entertainer published by Chelsea House
By special arrangements with Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley and Armica Productions
Music by Cole Porter, Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer, Rodgers & Hart, Jerome Kern, Billy Strayhorn and more
Choreography by Randy Skinner
Directed by Michael Bush

January 21 – March 1, 2009

With glamour, grace and an inner fire that blazed a trail for generations,
the legendary Lena Horne has never failed to amaze! Taking both Hollywood and the music industry by storm, her voice has resonated throughout the decades, not only through her incredible vocal talent ("From This Moment On," "The Lady is a Tramp" and of course "Stormy Weather"), but also through her determination to fight for what she believed. Don't miss the incredible Leslie Uggams in this new musical extravaganza as she takes us on the sometimes stormy, always extraordinary journey of an American icon.

If you are in the LA area, I highly suggest this show!
And I'm happy as a clam to be working with Leslie again!
More Info!

[stevenycguy]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 11:37pm

I remember seeing the workshop presentation at Signature Theater with Leslie Uggams in NYC a few years back and absolutely loving it.
Updated On: 1/8/09 at 11:37 PM

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 11:43pm

Does she sing "If You Believe"?

I know, Lena Horne wasn't just about "The Wiz," but I've always wanted to hear Leslie sing it.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 11:49pm

Sorry, that's not on the song list. Probably couldn't get the rights to it.

She works the HELL out of the title tune though.

She's got pipes!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 12:06am

I followed the links but got no answer.
Is this a One Woman show?

That Sharleen Cooper Cohen has wanted to break into Theatre for a while. I am glad she's putting her Romance Novel bucks into this.
Anyone see her SHEBA Off Broadway?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 12:35am

There is a button that says CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

It is not a one woman show, it's got a full cast that plays various people throughout her life.

Follow the link and you'll get bios and things!

http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/2009_stormy_weather.htm

Updated On: 1/10/09 at 12:35 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 12:44am

I saw Leslie on Broadway in Jerry's Girls back in the '80s and she was truly fantastic in it. Her voice was electrifying "live."

I hope to catch this, based on your recommendation, Diva. Sounds great! And best of luck with the show.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 12:56am

I clicked on every link
and i still don't see
who else is in the show?
Sorry
But this sounds like an Amazing
Concept
and I want to learn more...

[singingbackup]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 2:38am

Found this from theatermania

Full cast and creative team have been announced for the Pasadena Playhouse's production of Stormy Weather by Sharleen Cooper Cohen, January 21-March 1. The show, which will be directed by Michael Bush, will open officially on January 30.

The show focuses on the life of the legendary entertainer Lena Horne, to be played by Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams and Nicki Crawford, including her controversial marriage to Lennie Hayton, a white Jewish composer. The show will use standards such as "The Lady is a Tramp," "From This Moment On," and "Stormy Weather."

The cast also includes Dee Hoty, Cleavant Derricks, Philip Altmore, Jordan Barbour, Yvette Cason, Wilkie Ferguson, Ashley Greene, Bruce Katzman, Cheri McKenzie, Kevyn Morrow, Jeffrey Rockwell, Robert Torti, and Diane Vincent.

The creative team includes Randy Skinner (choreogarphy), Linda Twine (musical direction), James Noone (sets), Martin Pakledinaz (costumes), Paul Gallo (lighting), Lewis Mead (sound), and Gordon Goodwin (orchestrations).

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 2:40am

How is Dee Hoty, Diva?

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 11:01am

Dee is delightful in this show. She doesn't do too much, but always lights up the stage when she is on.

I saw the show in Philly many times last year, and it is worth the admission price alone just to hear Uggams belt out "Stormy Weather"

but my favorite moment of the show is when she is sitting on a bench, singing "once when I was young" with only a jazz guitar for accompaniment. She has the audience in the palm of her hand, and you can hear a pin drop every night between every phrase that she sings.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/10/09 at 1:35pm

Sorry, fixed the link.

Dee is great, as is the rest of the cast!

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/23/09 at 2:34pm

UPDATE:

We've had two previews and the audiences are eating it up. We are still in previews and are making minor cuts and changes through out the days and have the preview performances at night.

I'm dead tired and sore as hell, but it's turning out to be a great show!

And I'm thrilled to be working with Dee, Yvette and, of course Leslie!

[Showdoctor]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 5:39am

I recently attended the third preview of Pasadena Playhouses STORMY WEATHER, and was blown away! Leslie Uggams is far more than just a star, she has embodied the heart and soul of Lena Horne to the tea, but, at the same time, found her own way of bringing her special touch to the role, and to the show as a whole. This is a true triumph for Miss Uggams. Brava! THE SCORE!!!! Musical Theatre buffs will be hard pressed to find a rival to this gorgeous score! What makes the songs fresh a vibrant is the way they are so deeply woven into the "stormy" story of Lena Hornes life. The arrangements are fabulous, and the voices are even better. The book gracefully takes us through the many battles that our heroine, Lena Horne, fought head on with such ferociousness far ahead of her time...both for women AND African-Americans. The COSTUMES!!! Every iconic image is given a fresh new and utterly STUNNING life, and Nikki Crawford young Lena wears them as if she were born in them all!!!!! Bravo. THE DANCING!!! If nothing else listed here appeals to you, you could simply go just to see some of the BEST tap dancing I, or any of my colleagues with me, have seen in many, many years. Randy Skinners choreography lifts the show to a true place of style and entertainment that only a master of those golden Hollywood years could. The tap duo, Bone and Jones, perform a tap number in Act 1 called JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS that literally stops the show! And the look of the show looks like a first class Broadway HIT!! The show is still previewing, and yes, there is more "fat" to trim, and a few "repetitive" aspects to the formula thus far. BUT this is SOOOO fixable, and I cant wait to attend after opening to see how this fantastic creative team have earned their keep, and streamlined the show!!! This show simply is a MUST SEE. End of story!!!

[nexttoelectric]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 9:51am

SHILL SHILL SHILL SHILL


DIVA YOU SAD PATHETIC LITTLE SHILL


SHILL SHILL SHILL SHILL



PS, I hope everything goes well. Have a successful run.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 12:45pm

Who plays Lennie Hayton and who plays Billy Strayhorn?

How are the gay elements of the story handled?

[Showdoctor]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 2:53am

Lennie Hayton is played by Robert Torti. Billy Strayhorn is played by Kevyn Morrow. Both are EXCELLENT in the roles, and sing songs such as COME RAIN OR COME SHINE, LUSH LIFE, and HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN. Dee Hoty as Kay Thompson nearly steals the show when she "re-arranges" Billy's HOW DEEP into a swingin' dance number! She's wonderful in the role! I really hope the theatre community in LA takes advantage of this timely new show getting it's pre-broadway start out here in Pasadena. I just got a few tickets for the week after opening, and they are going fast!

[Showdoctor]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 2:57am

Billy and Lena's relationship was very interesting. It touches upon how much they loved each other, and how they stayed close until his untimely death. He's open with his sexuality to Lena and Kay, which adds to the conflicts that Lena deals with during the show. It makes an audience member wonder if they (Billy and Lena) would have been together if he hadn't been gay. A very interesting evening of theatre with an UNTOUCHABLE score.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/15/09 at 1:27pm

I showed your review to Leslie and she says thanks!

And can I just say I love Dee Hoty?! And Yevette Cason!

The show has been extended for one week and may add another.

If you come see the show, I would love to meet some of you.. And if you want, I'll give you a tour of the stage and backstage.

This is a show that I'm rather proud of!