Who doesn’t love Soul Train? The long running TV show mainstreamed the funk, and taught generations to dance. It taught Black kids to say it loud, “I’m Black and I’m Proud,” and showed
white kids that Black was cool. VERY cool.
But the Soul Train locomotive did not always run smooth. There were the accusations that producer Don Cornelius was too driven, too brash, and too hard on the young dancers who pulled the train, for little or no salary. There was the “Battle of the Bandstands” that took place when Dick Clark tired to poach on Cornelius’s Black territory with “Soul Unlimited” – capitalizing on the success of the first Black-owned, Black-sponsored entertainment show to make it in television, as Jesse Jackson was quick to call out.
These and other anecdotes provide the dramatic spine to “Hippest Trip,” and they are interesting and well played by the actors but this show is about the dancing and the funky music, which are tremendous. The ensemble of dancers have moves to rival both the best of the American Ballet Theatre and Cirque de Soleil. They float, they split, they girate, they groove, they give it their all.
And the dozen musicians — I offer up the moniker “The Funky Dozen” — will blow your mind. Kenny Seymour, who supervised the music and is responsible for orchestrations and arrangements, gets waaaaaay down.
The performers are wonderful but a show like this is more than usually dependent on the design team and every detail is shiny. The costumes, the wigs, the lights, the set, the projections all work together to create a you are there sensation. This has to be what it was like – how could it have been otherwise?
Above all, this is about the music and the dance, but that doesn’t mean the script doesn’t work. Dominique Morisseau skillfully explores the conflicts and emotions that whirl about about creator Don Cornelius, who is well-played by Quentin Earle Darrington. Angela Birchett shines as his wife, Delores Cornelius, and so does Sidney Dupont as his son, Tony Cornelius. Mayte Natalio captures the heart and soul of the great Rosie Perez.
Ensemble member Terence Archie is excellent in a variety of roles, especially as James Brown. Mckenzie Frye is a whoop as a young Jesse Jackson – watch for it.
If Soul Train is your groove, you will be singing along and shaking all over.
“Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical” plays A.C.T.’sToni Rembe Theater through October 8th. For further information click here.
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Rating: *** (For an explanation of Theatrestorm’s rating scale, click here.)
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“Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical.” Book by Dominizue Morisseau. Music Supervision, Orchestrations, & Arrangements by Kenny Seymour. Choreographer: Camille A. Brown. Director: Kamilah Forbes. Scenic Designer: Jason Sherwood. Costume Designer: Dede Ayite. Lighting Designer: Jen Schriever. Sound Designer: Jonathan Deans. Projectoion Designer: Aaron Rhyne. Wigs Designer: Mia Neal. Music Curator: Jimmy Keys; Dance Music Arranger: Zne Mark. Music Direcotr: Sean Kana. Dramaturg: Joy Meads.
Cast:
Terence Archie: Ensemble. Anglea Birchett: Delores Cornelius. Quentin Earl Darrington: Don Cornelius. Kayla A. Davion: Jody Watley. Sidney Dupont: Tony Cornelius. Jennifer Marie Frazier: Ensemble. Mckenzie Frye: Ensemble. Cameron Hah: Cheryl Song/Ensemble. Amber Iman: Pam Brown. Rich James: Tyrone Proctor/Ensemble. Jaquez: Jeffrey Daniel. Justin Jorrell: Ensemble. Jahi Kearse: Ensemble. Alain “Hurrikane” Lauture: Don Cambellock/Ensemble. Alora Tonielle Martinez: Ensemble. Miki Michelle: Ensemble. Mauyte Natalio: Rosie Perez/Ensemble. Aché Richardson: Ensemble. Roukijah “Nutellak” Rooks: Ensemble. Sequoiia: Ensemble. Charlene “Chi-Chi” Smith: Damita Jo/Ensemble. Maleek Washington: Ensemble.
Band:
Keyboard/Conductor: Sean Kana. Keyboard 2: Kryn Allen. Violin: Michelle Maruyama. Viola: Frank Shaw. Guitar: Dave Mac Nab. Reeds: Larry de la Cruz. Trumpet: John Trombetgta. Trombone: Derek James. Drums: Clayton Craddock. Percussion: John Doing. Percussion: Jeff Redlawsk.
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