Really enjoyed a vibrant theatrical experience in Brooklyn this month. Last weekend attendees at Long Island University's Kumble Theatre witnessed "living history" on the stage as six dynamic community servants from diverse backgrounds dipped into their souls and served generous helpings of lifetimes of trials and triumphs, contemplations and contributions over the decades. I only hope that Brooklyn '63 has been recorded on dvd for posterity, for as mentioned, it truly was living history.
Then just a couple of weeks before Brooklyn '63 graced this borough's stage, the Kumble Theatre was the scene for PEARL, a soul-stimulating musical on the life of the outstanding cultural contributor, Pearl Bailey. Presenting a Broadway-worthy production, Jennie Harney and the other multi-talented cast members sang, danced (including tap dance!), and wove Pearl Bailey's life, loves, tribulations and triumphs in such a masterful way that one felt desirous of returning to experience the production again; except it was only at the Kumble Theatre for that May weekend period.
The audience was informed that Pearl is a work in progress and that they will continue polishing and refining it toward higher levels of artistic perfection. Hmm, from the standing ovations and the many soul-touching moments, one wonders how in the world it could get any better. I didn't bring my little eight-year-old grandson along, as I often have done to past productions, thinking that a work on the life of a vaudeville-era performer might not hold his interest. Wrong conclusion that time. The music, the dance, the costuming, the superb acting would have thoroughly captivated him. Hopefully he and many others of all ages will have the opportunity to one day experience theater at its finest through the cultural experience of Pearl. Miz "Pearlie Mae" must be smiling from the Heavens, not to mention, Mr. "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey".
You know, sometimes it's just not necessary to make that trip across the Brooklyn Bridge to Broadway or to pay those neon-light prices. A great deal of excellent theater often takes place right on the stages of the metro area's new cultural capital, Brooklyn aka BK. Both PEARL and BROOKLYN '63 firmly attest to that.
