Originally published on CastAlbums.org.

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill is one of those shows that feels like it’s been around forever, making regular appearances at small venues around the country whenever a local singing actress wants to flex her chops a bit with a show that’s pre-sold on the name of its subject, Billie Holiday. In reality, the show debuted in 1986 at the Alliance in Atlanta before coming to New York in a well-received off-Broadway production and has been twice recorded before, in 1997 with Gail Nelson in the title role, and in 1998 with Pamela Isaacs.

I had never given much thought to the play itself, structured as a concert during Holiday’s drug-fueled decline, and when it was announced for Broadway with no less than Audra McDonald in the title role, I was frankly surprised she’d bother with the show. But once performances started, it quickly became a hot ticket, and I don’t know anyone who’s seen her performance and not been thrilled. Continue reading →