The musical revue "Me and Bessie" offered audiences a vibrant exploration of the life and career of the legendary blues singer Bessie Smith. This essentially one-woman show, conceived and written by Will Holt and Linda Hopkins, featured Hopkins in the starring role, bringing the "Empress of the Blues" to life through a selection of iconic songs. The production's journey from regional theaters to Broadway, its critical reception, and its eventual place
in theatrical history highlight its significance as a tribute to a pivotal figure in American music.
The show's musical landscape was rich, incorporating songs by notable artists such as Lil Green, Clarence Williams, Henry Creamer, Andy Razaf, and Jimmy Cox, among others. This diverse song list provided a comprehensive musical backdrop to Smith's story, allowing Hopkins to showcase the raw fervor of blues singing that defined Bessie Smith's artistry. The production aimed to capture the essence of Smith's impact, both musically and personally, through its narrative and performances.
From Regional Stages to Broadway Lights
"Me and Bessie" began its theatrical life with initial presentations at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., running from November 1 to 17, 1974. Following this, the Center Theatre Group produced the show, with Robert Greenwald directing, at the Mark Taper Forum from April 4 through May 3, 1975. These early runs allowed the production to refine its approach and build momentum before its highly anticipated Broadway debut.
The Broadway production, also directed by Robert Greenwald, included special dance sequences choreographed by Lester Wilson. These sequences featured two characters, identified only as Man and Woman, portrayed by Lester Wilson and Gerri Dean, adding another layer to the storytelling. Howlett Smith and Lenny Hambro served as co-Musical Directors, ensuring the musical integrity of the revue, while Donald Harris was responsible for the scenic design, creating the visual world for Bessie Smith's story to unfold.
Broadway Run and Critical Reception
After two previews, "Me and Bessie" officially opened at the Ambassador Theatre on October 22, 1975. The show later transferred to the Edison Theatre on December 3, 1975, where it continued its run until December 5, 1976. In total, the production enjoyed a successful run of 453 performances. During a portion of its Broadway engagement, specifically between September 24 and its closing, "Me and Bessie" ran in repertory with another show, "Oh! Calcutta!".
Critical reception for the show was mixed, particularly regarding the script. A capsule review in "In and Around Town," a weekly critical guide for entertainment in New York, noted, "The raw fervor of Linda Hopkins's blues singing is all that matters here, and it's enough. Unfortunately, the show is also burdened with a silly script by Will Holt, which consists mostly of having Miss Hopkins disavow the fact that she's Bessie Smith with all the fervor of a Kennedy disavowing politics." Despite this criticism of the script, Linda Hopkins's performance as Bessie Smith was widely praised. In 2011, "Backstage" magazine reflected on her portrayal, stating, "It's been 36 years since I saw her in it at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, but she's stayed with me as the definitive Bessie Smith, and of course the cast album plays even more powerfully than Smith's original." Hopkins's exceptional performance earned her a nomination for the Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, though she ultimately lost to "The Norman Conquests." The production also held a significant place in Broadway history, setting a record as the longest-running one-woman show until it was surpassed by "Golda's Balcony," starring Tovah Feldshuh, by forty performances.
