About This Show

Pickle, Bessie’s long-time accompanist and friend, briefly reflects on her short life, ruminating just long enough for those memories to become a reality and Bessie Smith takes the stage by storm in a 1937 flashback. She is in a phantom concert that takes place moments before the tragic car accident that took her life. This final performance gives her the opportunity to preach about her controversial and notorious career while sharing stories about sexual escapades, lesbianism, alcoholism, philandering husbands, going toe-to-toe with discriminatory club owners, and facing down the Klan in the Deep South, all the while Death is at the door. The Devil’s Music is directed by Joe Brancato.

Show Details

Dates: Opening Night: February 1, 2001 Final Performance: March 3, 2001