Playwright Terry Teachout mounts a modest, if effective, defense of the jazz trumpeter and vocalist.
playwright Terry Teachout mounts a modest if effective defense of the jazz trumpeter and vocalist. He’s portrayed in a relaxed, naturalistic manner by Sam Henderson in a new production at WaterTower Theatre, seen in a preview Wednesday.The Baylor theater and film professor also plays Armstrong’s mob-connected manager Joe Glaser and frequent critic Miles Davis in the one-man show.
The conceit is that the tired and ailing, if still spry, 70-year-old is collecting his thoughts on a reel-to-reel tape recorder to set the record straight. He’s angry at Glaser, who he says stole from him. It’s more complicated than that, as Armstrong will admit as the play proceeds. Still, his hurt and disappointment ring true.
Glaser gets to tell his side. Essentially, he was controlled by the Mafia. Armstrong didn’t want anything to do with the business side when he hired Glaser, who even picked his band members and the songs he would play.as “a work of fiction, freely based on fact.” The truth is Teachout relies heavily on recordings the musician made about his life.Nothing feels fabricated. Armstrong is candid and profane in ways he would never be in public. But he’s not that far from the Armstrong we already know.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WaterTower Theatre announces 29th seasonAddison's WaterTower Theatre's 29th season and it's for 2024-2025 has a seasonal theme, featuring one show for the fall, winter, spring and summer.
Read more »
Review: ‘Sondheim Tribute Revue’ is custom-made by Theo TheatreThe great thing about Sondheim (well, one of the great things) is how well his songs work out of their original context, especially when placed in conversation with other Sondheim songs.
Read more »
Review: Mitski kicks off sold-out four-night stand at Chicago’s Auditorium TheatreMitski’s 90-minute concert was a peculiar and inventive display that blended performance art, avante-garde cabaret and interpretive dance.
Read more »
Review: ‘Peter Pan’ at Nederlander Theatre smooths the rough edges of NeverlandThe classic story of the boy who never grew up is being told for a new generation through a national tour of the musical, directed by Lonny Price.
Read more »
Theatre Review: Born With TeethMarlowe’s mad and Shakespeare’s sad in Austin Playhouse production
Read more »
Theatre Review: The Baron’s Men Presents Romeo and JulietThe Curtain Theatre’s BYOB outdoor production is a magical night out
Read more »