Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill is a compelling dramatized concert film that explores the complex yet fascinating life of the late great Jazz singer, Billie Holiday. Originally produced for Broadway, this 2016 performance was expertly reformatted for the screen and is filled with soulful music, poignant storytelling, and a stunning lead performance from multi-talented Tony Award-winning actress Audra McDonald.

The film is set in 1959 in a small, run-down bar in Philadelphia named Emerson's Bar & Grill. Here, we find a somewhat broken and tired Billie Holiday, affectionately known as 'Lady Day', during one of her last performances before her untimely passing at the age of just 44. Lady Day doesn't merely perform, she shares pieces of her life-long struggle, her triumphs and tragedies, with her audience - intertwining her soulful and heartrending songs with autobiographical monologues.

Audra McDonald's performance as Billie Holiday is nothing less than mesmerizing. She not only embodies Holiday's unique vocal stylings but also beautifully captures the essence of a legendary figure whose personal demons couldn't quite extinguish her natural talent and indomitable spirit. McDonald's tour de force portrayal alone makes Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill an essential viewing.

Throughout the performance, McDonald as Billie brilliantly narrates her life's story. She talks of her childhood marked by poverty and adversity, her rise to stardom against all odds, her tumultuous relationships, issues with substance abuse, as well as the racial prejudice she had to face during her career. McDonald brings forth these painful memories with a raw vulnerability that both enraptures and moves the audience.

She also delivers renditions of some of Holiday's most famous songs, including "God bless the Child," "Strange Fruit," and "What a Little Moonlight Can Do." Each song, performed with great passion and authenticity, adds depth to the narrative and helps paint a more comprehensive picture of Holiday's life and career. Musical Director Shelton Becton accompanies McDonald on stage, playing Jimmy Powers, Billie's pianist, in an equally captivating performance.

Director Lonny Price seamlessly adapts this show for the small screen, with cinematically creative camera work that captures the intimate atmosphere of the bar. The close-ups of McDonald's expressively emotive face, the well-lit stage contrasted with the audience in darkness, and the meticulous period details contribute to constructing a 1950s setting and atmosphere so immersive, you'll feel like you've been transported back in time.

Moreover, Lady Day serves as a commentary on societal issues, particularly racial injustice. One of the most potent parts of the narrative is Holiday's introduction to "Strange Fruit," a haunting song about lynching. Admittedly, it's not always comfortable viewing - but then again, it's not meant to be. It holds up a mirror to the discrimination that existed in those times, some of which sadly still persists today.

George Farmer is also featured in a supporting role as Emerson, the bar owner, who brings to life the quintessential character that provides the backdrop for the performance.

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill is a powerful tribute to one of the greatest Jazz musicians of all time, a poignant examination of American history, and a showcase of Audra McDonald's formidable talent.

Whether you're a fan of jazz, a lover of historical biopics, or simply someone interested in raw and emotive performances, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill promises to deliver. It's a brilliant balance of music, drama, and reality, capturing a significant moment in time in the life of an unforgettable musician surrounded by the sounds, spirit, and strife of the late 1950s. Amidst the glamour and the grit, you'll find yourself inching closer to understanding the woman behind the legend - Billie Holiday, Lady Day.