A Boy and His Soul

I have never laughed and cried so hard or so much as I did yesterday during A Boy and His Soul at the Vineyard Theatre. This one-man show, written by and starring Colman Domingo has a limited run September-October but if yesterdays audience was any barometer, it will be extended and/or moved. Directed by Tony Kelly and Choreographed by Ken Roberson, A Boy and His Soul is an exquisite composite of music, dance, memoir and more music. Set in a pitch perfect suburban basement/rec room Scenic Design by Rachel Hauck Mr. Domingo tells the tale of his childhood and adolescence through a raucous and moving mosaic of soul music. He sings not enough for this viewer, dances and is hysterically funny and heartbreaking through 90 minutes of non-stop fabulousness. Mr. Domingo was most recently seen in The Wiz at City Center but might be more known for his roles in Passing Strange. He is an extraordinary bundle of talent and has a face that would make Norma Desmond proud. While I usually tread lightly into the terrain of memoir, or as I like to put it; "If its about me, it must be fascinating!" there is nothing here that even hints of a vanity project. The script is so shockingly good, I actually found myself wondering if I could purchase it. There were far too many perfect gems in the dialogue to recall, and I wanted to remember it all. If there is a weakness in the script, it is only the way in which the dramatic arc peaks too close to the end and is not in fact the end. A minor point in such an incredible experience. While Mr. Domingo deserves heaps of praise for his script and his performance, clearly this was an ensemble piece. The direction, sound, lights, set, and choreography were all so perfect. I guarantee that this will please you. When the lights came up, I was jubilant and utterly exhausted after loosing so many tears. I have never been so happy to walk outside looking like Tammy Fay.