An artist, activist and jazz icon comes to life on the Peterborough Players’ stage at 55 Hadley Road with “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” by Lanie Robertson, Aug. 18 to 28.
Company member Tracey Conyer Lee (“Serving Elizabeth” at the Players, “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” across the country) appears as the famed Billie Holiday in this play with music featuring 13 of Holiday’s songs. The show is directed by award-winner Kevin R. Free (artistic director of the Mile Square Theatre).
It’s the evening show at Hal Emerson’s Bar and Grill in Philadelphia, March of 1959, and you have a seat at the bar. You’re witnessing one of the final performances of the legendary Billie Holiday, here for the night to fill the small room with jazz, memories and perhaps just a little moonlight. As she and her faithful accompanist Jimmy weave their way through the evening of song, Lady Day can’t help but reminisce about the long road that led her back to Emerson’s, and the world that set her on that road. Music is her joy, and she endeavors to keep that moonlight present for as long as she possibly can.
“Billie Holiday is an icon. The older I got, the more I started to appreciate that she is an icon and that some of what happened to her, outside of the choices that she made…happened to her because of how much was expected of her,” stated Free. “Today, in 2022, the fact that she was here is incredibly important to me.”
This is Tracey Conyer Lee’s sixth time portraying Holiday, having done so at theatres like Portland Stage Company, Capital City Theatre and others.
“It’s not a Billie Holiday concert,” stated Lee. “It’s a Billie Holiday concert gone awry, perhaps.”
Lee is joined by Ronnie King Mason Jr. (“Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” at Stages Repertory Theatre) in the role of Jimmy Powers. He is also the music director of the piece. Bass player Don Baldini rounds out the trio.
Scenic design is by Baron E. Pugh. Costume design and coordination is by Chloe Ross. Lighting design is by Haley Brown. Sound design and engineering is by Alex Trombly, and props design is by Emily Allinson.
There will be a talkback with members of the cast and creative team after the show on Sunday, Aug. 21. Pay-what-you-can tickets will be available on Friday, Aug. 19 to anyone who needs assistance accessing tickets to Players’ productions. Patrons are encouraged to attend the Aug. 19 performance, with a guest, for whatever they feel they can pay. Pay-what-you- can tickets must be reserved ahead of time through the box office at 603-924-7585.
Single tickets are $47, and on sale now. Barn Door Flex Passes are available throughout the summer season. Tickets can be purchased at peterboroughplayers.org or by calling the box office at 603-924-7585.