Theatre News Wire

Mercury Theater Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Kristi J. Martens and Executive Producers L. Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon announce the first production of the 2023 Season, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, directed by Christopher Chase Carter and Alexis J. Roston, written by Lanie Robertson, and starring Alexis J. Roston as Billie Holiday and Nygel D. Robinson as Jimmy. Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill runs January 27 - March 26, 2023 in the intimate Venus Cabaret Theater at Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue. 

Turn back the clock to 1959 for an intimate cabaret performance with the greatest jazz vocalist of all time, Billie Holiday. More than a dozen musical numbers are interlaced with salty, often humorous reminiscences revealing a portrait of the lady and her music. With a distinctive sense of musical structure and a deep knowledge of jazz and blues, she developed a singing style that was deeply moving. She left behind a body of work as great as any vocalist before or since.

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill stars Alexis J. Roston as Billie Holiday. She will be accompanied by musicians Jeff Harris (Bass) and Harold Morrison (Drums).

The creative team for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill includes Christopher Chase Carter (Co-Director), Alexis J. Roston (Co-Director), Nygel D. Robinson (Music Director/Conductor/Jimmy), Johnnie Schleyer (Scenic Designer), Denise Karzcewski (Lighting Designer), Samantha C. Jones (Costume Designer), Carl Wahlstrom (Sound Designer), Kelly Jordan (Wig Designer), and Rachel West (Lighting Supervisor).

This is my sixth production of Lady Day At Emerson's Bar And Grill, my third in Chicago and ten years since my first stab at this material. I have surpassed Billie Holiday in age, as she was only 44 years old at the time of her death. I've lived more life and had more experiences that fuel my approach to creating my Billie Holiday. There have been more heartaches and disappointments as well as accomplishments that have matured me over the years. Stepping into this role at this stage in my life will undoubtedly add more depth and relatability," comments Alexis J. Roston. "Being the co-director this time around gives me more creative freedom to delve into instincts I've had in previous productions that may not have fit into the vision of other directors. I live boldly and I'm aspiring to make bolder choices in this production. I'm most impressed with theatre that makes audience members not only empathize with the characters but that also allows the audience to feel the experience as the character is experiencing it."

Tickets for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, priced $60-$70 for single tickets and $259-$299 for premium tables, are on sale now at the box office, 3745 N. Southport Avenue in Chicago, www.mercurytheaterchicago.com. Premium Tables for up are available and include a bottle of sparkling wine, selected by the in-house sommelier. Each party of up to 4 people is seated at its own table.