Eubie!
Music by Eubie Blake
Conceived and Originally Directed on Broadway by Julianne Boyd
Directed by Ron Himes
Choreographed by Heather Beal and Vivian Watt, with Tap Choreography by Robert Crenshaw
The Black Rep
May 5, 2023
Cast of Eubie!
Photo by Phillip Hamer
The Black Rep
Eubie Blake was a composer and musician who made a big impact in the entertainment world, especially in terms of representation for Black performers, artists, and audiences. A few of his songs have endured as classic jazz/pop standards. Here in St. Louis, the Black Rep is paying tribute to Blake in staging the lively, memorable revue Eubie! Featuring a strong cast and impressive choreography, the show is a fitting tribute to Blake, as well as a memorable introduction for those who may not be as familiar with his work.
For me, this show is an educational experience. I had heard of Eubie Blake, and particularly his song “I’m Just Wild About Harry” and his 1921 musical Shuffle Along, that was the source for a “making of” Broadway Production a few years ago. The majority of his work was new to me, however, and this revue, with its excellent singing, dancing, and presentation, is an ideal further introduction. There isn’t a story here, really. Essentially, the show sets songs by Blake and his collaborators in a number of routines, most of which have a glitzy 1920s style and mood, performed on a simple, versatile set by Tim Jones that features an Art Nouveau style flourish, with excellent stylized lighting by Jasmine Williams, vibrant costumes by Marc W. Vital III, and backed by a first-rate band led by musical director and pianist Joe Dreyer.
The choreography, by Heather Beal and Vivian Watt, with tap choreography by Robert Crenshaw, is spectacular, and Crenshaw is a standout performer in the cast, wowing the audience with a series of athletic tap routines and strong stage presence on songs like “I’m Just Wild About Harry” (along with Evann De-Bose, Samantha Madison, and Tamara PiLar) and “Hot Feet”. The cast also features DeAnté Bryant, Serdalyer Darden, Venezia Manuel, Carvas Pickens, and J’Kobe Wallace, with Taijah Silas as an understudy. All the cast members get their moments to shine, either as individuals or in group performances. Other notable moments include De-Bose’s heartfelt “Memories of You” and Boyce’s “Craving for That Kind of Love”. The ensemble singing and dancing is uniformly strong, with strong harmonies and a great deal of energy.
Overall, Eubie! is an entertaining, highly engaging production that captures the early 20th Century atmosphere and musical style especially well. Even though it doesn’t have a plot, it tells a story–of a composer and of the times in which he lived–through music and dance. It’s a memorable conclusion to the Black Rep’s 2022-2023 season.
Cast of Eubie!
Photo by Phillip Hamer
The Black Rep
The Black Rep is presenting Eubie! at Washington University’s Edison Theatre until May 21, 2023