Photos/Video Interviews: Magda Katz
Jacqueline B. Arnold (Broadway: Priscilla Queen of the Desert; Off-Broadway: Martha Wash in Mighty Real; National tours: We Will Rock You, Hairspray, Rent; Harlette for Bette Midler) stars as Phyllis Hyman in An Evening With Phyllis Hyman. This world premiere musical is from the creators of Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical . . . written by Kendrell Bowman and Anthony Wayne and directed by Mr. Bowman.
The show is the untold story of the life, career and music of the singer/songwriter and actress in her own words. With her sultry vocals, Ms. Arnold channels Hyman, taking the audience on an inspirational evening of joy and pain with no regrets.
Jacqueline B. Arnold
Band Members include: Enga Davis and Larry Hendricks (vocals), James Cage (trumpet), Darnell Howard (drums), Ben Natti (guitar), Alex “Busby” Smith (bass), David Watson (saxophone, flute), and Alonzo Harris (Musical Director, keyboards).
Theater Pizzazz’ Magda Katz was at rehearsals to find out more while Melba Moore came to visit.
Here’s a sneak peek!
Phyllis Hyman, born July 6, 1949, is known to the theater community for her acclaimed Broadway performance in the 1981 musical Sophisticated Ladies, which earned her a Theatre World Award and a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical. From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, she recorded numerous Soul /R&B albums, and some of her singles include “You Know How to Love Me”, “Living All Alone” and “Don’t Wanna Change the World,” and a cover of “Betcha By Golly Wow,” among many others. Her film credits include Spike Lee’s School Daze. Ms. Hyman, who suffered from bipolar depression, committed suicide by overdose on June 30, 1995.
The show will be performed at The Actors Temple Theatre (339 West 47th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). The strictly limited engagement begins Saturday, January 28 & continues January 29, February 4 and 5.
