"Little Girl Blue", the musical inspired by jazz singer Nina Simone's life began its much anticipated New York run earlier this month.
Written by and starring Laiona Michelle, the production is running at Shubert Organization’s New World Stages.
Michelle, who has had roles in "Amazing Grace", "Book of Mormon" and "American Hero", joined WBGO Journal host Doug Doyle to talk about the musical and she is so passionate about telling the story of Nina Simone.
"My Aunt, Bernadine Smith, was a DJ back in her day. She had a beautiful collection of albums. I just remember being in her New York City apartment when I was just a little girl and just combing through all of her albums and really being turned on by Nina as a child. Of course, I really didn't understand what she was singing about, the message she was working so hard to put out there. I didn't get it as a kid, but I was really drawn to her voice, her timbre and delivery. So much so I heard myself inside her as a child. I knew that I wanted to bring Nina to life. As I've gotten older, I'm more seasoned as an actress, maybe the past decade of my life and the goal was really just to quiet all the noise that was around her. I found myself in a position where I was terribly frustrated with my own career and Nina really was like a kindred spirit to me. I was frustrated. I was angry and I took that anger and made something out of it, which is this musical. I sat out to quiet those angry voices around Nina. So this is really my gift to Nina."
Laiona Michelle has been garnering rave reviews for her performance as the iconic singer/songwriter/musician/civil rights activist, since the show premiered to sold-out audiences and nightly standing ovations, at George Street Playhouse in early 2019. This past summer, "Little Girl Blue" continued its run of success as part of the Goodspeed by the River series in Connecticut.
Michelle says the show has been so special to her and she's thrilled to educate audiences about Nina Simone's life.
"She was coined the angry black woman for so long and I wanted to answer some of those questions. You know, why was she so angry? Why was she so deeply sad? She only wanted to be known as a classical pianist. She loved Bach. She never signed up to be a Civil Rights activist, a foot soldier, she was called to that, because she had to, and she did it and she suffered for it, and there comes the sadness."
The writer and actress says her show can make a difference in so many ways.
"Whenever I get a chance to meet the young people, a student or even a child who comes to the show, and this is a lot to take in for a child, I feel like their lives will never be the same, particularly Black children. We're told so often that you can't, you're not supposed to toe the line, but then to see a show like this and to know you have the right, you can do whatever it is you want to do."
In addition to Laiona Michelle in the titular role, the company’s original cast and director are returning, including the exceptional trio of musicians that accompany her on stage - Kenneth Salters, Saadi Zain, and pianist Mark Fifer who doubles as the production’s Music Director and Arranger. Devanand Janki returns to direct. Rashad V. Chambers is the show's lead producer.
You can find out more information about "Little Girl Blue" and tickets here. You can also SEE Doug Doyle's entire interview with Laiona Michelle here.
