Lisa Gaye Dixon workshops with actors in a small practice space in Pacific Grove.
The props on stage include a keyboard and an old-timey silver microphone that looks of a certain vintage — something out of the 1950's, which is exactly when this play takes place.
Dixon is the director of New Canon Theatre Company’s production of "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill," a play about the final performances of famed singer Billie Holiday before her death in 1959. Holiday was 44 years old.
Dixon said she was excited to direct this musical because she identifies with Holiday.
"She’s an African American woman blazing a trail in performing arts and a first in many ways. And she had to put up with a lot of negative experiences, shall we say," Dixon said. "And I think any performing artist, especially a woman of color, can relate to some of the struggles that she’s been through, no matter the time period."
“Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” was written by playwright Lanie Robertson. It premiered off-Broadway in the late 80’s. Nearly 30 years later, the play finally made its Broadway debut. It’s been popular ever since.
Dixon says audiences love the play because it gives us an up close and personal view of a larger-than-life icon.
"It follows an arc of a story and night in the life just a few months before her tragic death," said Dixon. "So she talks a lot about what she’s had to deal with in life and getting to the point that she is right now."
Malinda DeRouen, a local actress and singer who plays Holiday, says she was excited to take on the role because she identifies with her as a fellow musician of color.
"I find some kinship in her struggle as a performer in a mostly white world." DeRouen said. "Her struggles were life and death — mine aren’t necessarily to that extreme, but they still hold heavy in my heart and they still define who I am and my path.
DeRouen adds that Holiday always sang songs that were meaningful to her.
All of the songs that Billie Holiday sang always have a line of truth that goes straight to your heart," she said. "And I get to sing those songs in her fashion. It’s just absolutely wonderful."
John Wineglass, the renowned local composer who plays Holiday’s accompanist Jimmy Powers, says his character is so much more than just the accompanist.
"He’s a support base for her. He helps her with her clothes. He helps her with her shoes. He helps her with her music. He’s the one driving from New York City down to the club," Wineglass said. "He’s like a tour manager in that way. He provides things for her that help her and also helps him stay employed."
This isn’t Wineglass’ first time performing, but it is his first time acting in a musical.
"You’re doing the music. You’re doing the acting and you’re doing the blocking. So it’s all these other multi-faceted things that are involved," he said. "As a pit musician, I’ve been on Broadway on different productions, but I’ve never had to grapple with [acting]. So it’s been a very interesting journey."
The performance will be an interesting journey into the past for the audience, as it takes place in the Sunset Center’s Studio 105, an intimate cabaret-like space in the cultural center’s basement that has mostly been used for small concerts.
"It’s set up like a long, proscenium theater with a small stage at one end and a bar at the other end. It's going to be very much like you’re going back in time a little bit," said director Lisa Dixon. "You are shown to your seat and you can order a cocktail and enjoy the show. This is my hope — that it is an immersive experience."
"Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill" runs now through June 23rd.
New Canon Theatre Company is one of KAZU's many business underwriters.