Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill runs January 9-18 as part of theater’s 15th anniversary season
City Repertory Theatre is bringing back the Tony Award-winning play “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” for six performances beginning January 9, marking the return of a production that sold out during its 2021 run.
The play, written by Lanie Robertson, is part of CRT’s 15th anniversary season celebration, which features a selection of favorites from the theater’s past productions. Audience favorite Laniece Rose Fagundes will reprise her role as legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday.
The play is set in 1959 at a rundown bar in Philadelphia, where the audience witnesses one of Holiday’s final performances. Accompanied by her piano player Jimmy Powers, played by Benjamin Beck, Holiday uses music to tell her life story through songs from her memorable catalog, including “Strange Fruit,” “God Bless the Child,” “When a Woman Loves a Man,” and “T’Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do.”
Artistic Director John Sbordone directs the production, with musical direction by Benjamin Beck.
Beyond showcasing Holiday’s celebrated songbook, the play explores her struggles with drug addiction, her personal relationships, and the challenges she faced as a Black performer during the 1950s. The production balances humor and heartbreak, demonstrating Holiday’s ability to find levity amid hardship and highlighting the transformative power of music.
Performances are scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. from January 9 through January 18. Tickets are available at crtpalmcoast.com or by calling the box office at 386-585-9415.
“Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” is the fourth show in CRT’s 15th anniversary season. The theater’s spring lineup includes “The Colored Museum,” “Art,” and a double bill featuring “Line” and “All in the Timing.” Additional information about upcoming productions can be found at crtpalmcoast.com.
