By Bev Wolfe
For the close of its 40th Season, Illusion Theater is restaging its 1996 musical hit Always and Forever. Sanford Moore and Richard D. Thompson first created this show in 1996 using R&B hits of the 1970’s. In the 1996 production, the show had a physical set of a barber shop and a limited plot to provide a vehicle for the hit songs. In the newest version, there is no set and just a few props. Although the dialog from the original show is used, this reincarnation is much more of a musical revue than a musical play.
The show’s premise tells the story of a day in the life of three African-American men and an African-American teenager who are hanging out at the local barbershop. Durius, played by Gevonee Ford, is the owner of the barbershop and is a happily married man. Quenton Jones, played by Julius C. Collins III, is a postal worker who is having marital problems with a wife he dearly loves. Leviticus Tucker, played by Dennis Spears, is a married man who does not let that fact stop him from shopping around for more action. The fourth character is Jahmal Purdy, played by Isaiah Cummings, a teenage boy going through his romantic pain.
The love tribulations of all four characters are used as launching points for singing 26 great songs of the era. The music includes songs from the Jackson Five, Barry White, Percy Sledge, Barry Gordon, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, James Brown and Stevie Wonder. All four actors have amazing singing voices and do a great job of evoking the musical hits I would hear as a child on the radio.
Dennis Spears is often a scene stealer with his moves and muggings, with the exception of his first solo where his back is to an audience while he caresses a telephone prop. But once he steps away from the phone his charm and moves are a delight. The highlight of the show was Spear’s rendition of “Me and Mrs. Jones.” Both Julius C. Collins III and Gevonee Ford sing several impassioned songs that tugged at the heart. The youthful Isaiah Cummings was impressive in his first professional performance, but at times his voice would twinge flat.
The band members play on the stage right behind the performers, and their music is as much a star as the singers capturing the nuances of the music of that era. The audience was frequently clapping and tapping along to the music and gave a rousing standing ovation at the end too both the performers and the band.
The show has a very limited run and ends this weekend. But if you are a fan of the old R&B tunes of the Motown era, it is worth the effort to make the last performance.
ALWAYS AND FOREVER
September 24-27, 2015
Illusion Theater
Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts, 8th Floor
528 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
Box office: 612-339-4944 or www.illusiontheater.org
Tickets: $25-$40
Last show is tonight 9/27 at 7pm.
You must be logged in to post a comment.