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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

BILLIE HOLIDAY LIVES AGAIN @ CROSSROADS THEATRE

By Reenie Upchurch
Directed by Woodie King, Jr.
Musical Direction by Levi Barcourt

WHEN: February 17—27, Thursday-Saturday at 8 PM; Sunday at 3 PM
WHERE
: Crossroads Theatre, 7 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Click here to purchase tickets.

Set in May 1959 in a small New York nightclub, Yesterdays is a fictional dramatization with music depicting Billie Holiday's last performance as envisioned by playwright Reenie Upchurch who had seen the jazz singer perform near the end of her tumultuous career.

Played by jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin, the on-stage Billie Holiday intersperses songs with stories of her troubled life along with historical moments from the 1930's and 1940's jazz scene, including Bessie Smith and Artie Shaw. Rubin brings haunting and memorable songs to the stage including Fine and Mellow, Strange Fruit, My Man, Yesterdays, and God Bless the Child.

For information about the 2010-2011 Season click here.