Adrianna Jones, De-Rance Blaylock, and Amber Alexandria Rose Photo by Keshon Campbell

And somehow, theatre like this is almost like an exorcism: holding up the shared trouble of human hearts and then shouting out the pain in song–with rising humor, joy and determination. The stylish, dynamic foursome on stage (backed up by a terrific jazz combo) rips everyday evil spirits to shreds in a quick hundred minutes or so, with intermission. From honky tonk to blues-shouting to darn near gospel, Sheldon Epps' musical is a compilation of songs by Bessie Smith, Harold Arlen, and others. The show opened Off-Broadway in 1980, before its Broadway debut at the Rialto in 1982. It was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical the following summer.

Set in the Great Depression, late at night in a forgotten old hotel, three women share their torrid heartaches with the assistance of the suave actor J. Samuel Davis. He's excellent as everything from a bemused barkeep to a devilish lover, in a series of sassy song and dances, with smooth and unobtrusive choreography by Heather Beal. Each musical number is beautifully nuanced, with Adrianna Jones as a sort of Mahalia Jackson type, eternal and wise, though she also supplies regular blasts of infectious joy. Her tour de force performance includes "Stompin' At The Savoy," the archetypically raunchy "Rough and Ready Man," and "I Got a Right to Sing the Blues."

De-Rance Blaylock almost seems like a wispy Billie Holiday character, with great, contemplative (and even existential) singing in "Lover Man," and "Wasted Life Blues." Each of the on-stage performers gets a sly key change in the midst of their complex treatments of jazz-age ditties, with the help of music director Khalid McGee. And in spite of its title, the show is so persistently buoyant that Ms. Blaylock often veers into a sort of Diana Ross style, as when she shakes it in Bessie Smith's naughty specialty song "Kitchen Man," and "Take Me for a Buggy Ride," with a snapping riding crop as a prop. The excellent costumes are by Gregory J. Horton, with an impressive lighting design by Travis Richardson.

Amber Alexandria Rose is adorable, and every bit as sharp playing the youngest of the women, "The Girl." The three ladies regularly form a magical powerhouse trio. But she takes us by surprise with great emotional insight in "Willow Weep For Me" and "Reckless Blues." And Ms. Rose captures a rapturous resolve in "Taking a Chance on Love."

But I have to say: I never sat so still in church, in the show's deep moments of reflection, nor raised my hands so much in joy, as in this Blues in the Night.

Blues in the Night runs through September 22, 2024, at the Edison Theatre on the campus of Washington University, 6300 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis MO. For tickets and information, please visit www.theblackrep.org

Cast:
The Woman: Adrianna Jones
The Girl: Amber Alexandria Rose*
The Lady: De-Rance Blaylock
The Man: J. Samuel Davis*

The Black Rep Band:
Music Director and Piano: Khalid McGhee
Bass: Willem von Hombracht
Reed: Stan Coleman
Trumpet: Brady Lewis
Drum: Bernard Long Jr.

Production Staff:
Director: Ron Himes**
Music Director: Khalid McGhee
Choreographer: Heather Beal
Scenic Designer: Jamie Bullins
Lighting Designer: Travis Richardson
Sound Designer: Justin Schmitz***Costume Designer: Gregory J. Horton
Stage Manager: Tracy Holliway-Wiggins*
Assistant Stage Manager: Daija Jones
Technical Director: Christian Kitchens
Props Designer: Mikhail Lynn
Costume Assistant: Marissa Perry
Sound Engineer: Jon Zielke
Run Crew: Joyous Celestine, Alan Philips, Jordan Jones
Sound Board Operator: Vic Seay
Light Board Operator: Mondis Doyle
Scenic Artist: Taylor Deed

** Denotes Member, the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc.

* Denotes Member, Actors' Equity Association

*** Denotes Member of United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829