The great singer Barbara Morrison pays tribute to another great singer, the late Dinah Washington, in her solo show, I Wanna Be Loved, now in its world premiere run at BMPAC, the performing arts center named after the show’s star.
Washington, called by many (especially herself) the Queen of the Blues, was a strong, proud woman who sang with such fire and intensity that she could "make a whole band cry" (according to sax man Charles Davis). Washington was also a hard-livin' and -lovin' woman who married seven times, had scores of one-night stands and died at 39 of drug and alcohol abuse. By that time she had recorded dozens of hit tunes and headlined at such major venues as the Apollo, Town Hall and Basin Street. She also found the time to found the first Black talent agency in the USA, Queen Artists Corp.
It's quite a challenge to portray such a unique and complex character, but Morrison manages to bring off the impersonation, thanks largely to her masterful way with songs associated with Washington: “Come Rain, Come Shine,” “Baby You've Got What it Takes,” “Unforgettable” and “Teach Me Tonight” (among many others). It also helps that she’s backed up by a big band headed by John Stephens. With such support, Morrison can belt out ballads and up-tempo tunes alike -- and often coax the audience into singing along. Morrison also tells stories about Washington and re-enacts scenes from the diva's colorful life, with the help of such actor/singers as Pat Sligh, Jay Jackson and Keenan Zeno (the deft director of the show). The illustrious tap-dance artist Chester Whitman also contributes a cameo.
More musical revue than dramatic investigation of Washington's life, I Wanna Be Loved is a winner nonetheless, a show with pop appeal.
