Stormy Weather
Tickets and Information

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SHOW INFORMATION

This show has not yet been rated.

CURRENTLY CLOSED
Opened Jan 30, 2009
Closed Mar 8, 2009

Playing at
Pasadena Playhouse

Directions & Map

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Pasadena Playhouse presents the west coast premiere of Stormy Weather, starring Tony and Emmy Award-winner Leslie Uggams, conceived and written by Sharleen Cooper Cohen, directed by Michael Bush, music by Cole Porter, Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer, Rodgers & Hart, Billy Strayhorn, & more. Stormy Weather is based on the book, Lena Horne Entertainer, published by Chelsea House.

Style. A glorious voice. Grace. Brains and beauty, talent and presence. All these were still not enough to make Lena Horne one of the world's greatest entertainers. Above all, she needed grit and courage and tenacity. She battled racism and blazed a trail for African American artists over a 40-year career with many firsts: first African American movie star, first black woman on a national magazine cover. Blacklisted and suspended by MGM, Lena Horne faced professional and personal tragedies that nearly ended her career.

THEATER/VENUE INFORMATION:

Pasadena Playhouse
39 S El Molino Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101

Founded in 1917, the Pasadena Playhouse, a 686-seat house, produces more than 300 performances per year and is designated the State Theatre of California. It is also listed on the National Registry of Historical Places. Founded by Gilmor Brown and h [...] Read More

WHAT ARE CRITICS SAYING?

The still-evolving and sometimes compelling biomusical

Stormy Weather, now at the Pasadena Playhouse, is based on the remarkable life of pioneering African-American entertainer Lena Horne, who made that song one of her signature numbers. While the show contains some rousing production numbers and several delightful performances, Sharleen Cooper Cohen's script still needs much pruning and Michael Bush's direction is often sluggish.

As she begins her now-legendary Broadway concert in 1983, Horne (played alternately by a disappointingly understated Leslie Uggams and the commanding Nikki Crawford as her younger self) ponders her many life choices. She flashes back to her many tumultuous momen[...]

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Reviewed by Jonas Schwartz on Feb 1, 2009

What are other members saying?

Fantastic Musical Theatre
I recently attended the third preview of Pasadena Playhouses STORMY WEATHER, and was blown away! Leslie Uggams is far more than just a star, she has embodied the heart and soul of Lena Horne to the tea, but, at the same time, found her own way of bringing her special touch to the role, and to the show as a whole. This is a true triumph for Miss Uggams. Brava! THE SCORE!!!! Musical Theatre buffs will be hard pressed to find a rival to this gorgeous score! What makes the songs fresh a vibrant is the way they are so deeply woven into the "stormy" story of Lena Hornes life. The arrangements are fabulous, and the voices are even better. The book gracefully takes us through the many battles that our heroine, Lena Horne, fought head on with such ferociousness far ahead of her time...both for women AND African-Americans. The COSTUMES!!! Every iconic image is given a fresh new and utterly STUNNING life, and Nikki Crawford young Lena wears them as if she were born in them all!!!!! Bravo. THE DANCING!!! If nothing else listed here appeals to you, you could simply go just to see some of the BEST tap dancing I, or any of my colleagues with me, have seen in many, many years. Randy Skinners choreography lifts the show to a true place of style and entertainment that only a master of those golden Hollywood years could. The tap duo, Bone and Jones, perform a tap number in Act 1 called JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS that literally stops the show! And the look of the show looks like a first class Broadway HIT!! The show is still previewing, and yes, there is more "fat" to trim, and a few "repetitive" aspects to the formula thus far. BUT this is SOOOO fixable, and I cant wait to attend after opening to see how this fantastic creative team have earned their keep, and streamlined the show!!! This show simply is a MUST SEE. End of story!!!

Reviewed by Showdoctor on Sunday, Jan 25th, 2009